The Human Factor: Gorbachev, Reagan, and Thatcher and the End of the Cold War Paperback – 24 Mar. 2022

Duncurin really enjoyed this book by Prof Brown. Maybe, it’s a teeny bit long and also a teeny bit repetitive but these slight niggles are inconsequential compared to the wonderful, at all times fascinating, and instructive read that in so many sections is a genuine page turner.This was a momentous time in the history of the world and as a young man growing up in this period, I’m pleased to learn that the media reporting of that time, as an ordinary person who just watched the news and read the papers, seems quite accurate. Contrast this with events of today like Brexit, Remain or the Covid crisis which are spun and wrapped in inflammatory and divisive terms at all levels by those who have their own agenda which make arriving at an informed opinion or having an informed view almost impossible. Unlike Prof Brown’s book that lays down the narrative in dispassionate analytical terms which, given the events unfolding at that time, raises its appeal still more.As the author makes clear, this tale is very much about the human factor and the interplay between the three main protagonists and especially about the coming of Gorbachev whose place in history must surely be assured. His bravery and vision in moving from the business as usual agenda that would have been so much easier for him was rejected not, as the author makes clear, because he was threatened or faced down or that the USSR was starving but simply because he could see a better way of life for his country and its people. The way his views evolved and his almost impatient desire to change not only the very core of Soviet life but also its standing as regards Europe, the USA and the world.In this, he was joined by the insightful and keen Margaret Thatcher who recognised early on that she was dealing with such a man with such a transformative agenda. I know that she has many detractors to this day but surely only she could have introduced the most dangerous man in the world to the most powerful one and though, as the book makes clear, they all moved from their original position – Gorbachev the most - it needed someone with special skills, maybe simply the vision thing!, to hold it all together. I never received the impression that Reagan was the most intellectual of persons and the book describes his emollient stance that relied on his having the right people in the right place; notwithstanding his wife, and of course her astrologer, but his trust in Thatcher and the chemistry that ran between them were surely vital in the changes that were to take place. I suspect the liveliest of debates was held between her and Gorbachev which no doubt were on a completely different plane and though they differed in their views markedly much compromise was forged and even more respect and trust. It was then, this 'sandwich' held together by Thatcher that allowed Gorbachev to introduce and to hone his agenda for change.Given the detractors and the obstacles that each of these three leaders encountered in their own countries it is remarkable what progress was achieved and although it didn’t end well for either Gorbachev or Thatcher, their legacy remains. Ultimately then, I guess it comes down to a simple yet rare phenomenon – what it means to be a leader. Though of course Reagan’s part was essential, it is, for me, Gorbachev and Thatcher who showed manifest skill and courage in this area and I can’t help but wonder what would have happened if somehow all three had been allowed to continue and, if so, where the world would be now.Sadly, as the author discusses it was all too easy for others to be fickle, tear down the achievements of others or claim them for their own or simply re-write what was said by whom and when.Moreover, and depressingly, it is my view that today there is a vacuum in the motives, agenda and abilities of the leadership in just about every country one cares to name with few exceptions. It is these people that the Gorbachev beginnings and ethos were gifted to and in my view they have squandered such a legacy and if anything wound the clock back to a less caring and more dangerous time. Thus, Yeltsin to me rarely seemed sober. I suspect Putin owes more to Stalin than to Gorbachev and is quite happy to destroy oligarchs created by Yeltsin in favour of his own as they sail around the world on multi-million pound yachts with unearned wealth that maybe could have been better deployed. He is also quite happy for his agents to cart lethal radioactive isotopes and nerve agents round London and Salisbury to target people that the world, at least, has long since forgotten any source of disagreement that lay between them. Don’t forget the monarch who arranges to dismember a critic in one of his embassies. Then we have the leader who concretes over living coral in the South China Sea who, like Putin, votes himself in as permanent leader and who seems keen to crush any possible dissent regardless of where it comes from. Even more telling, is that here in the west we are also short of a good leader or two. Not that we have that particular brand of despot but I’d venture that the UK has only had once decent PM since Churchill and I’m struggling too with the USA.So here we have a wonderful account, an amazing tale of a brave and farsighted man whose agenda has been subsumed and squandered by far less worthy, incompetent and self-serving leaders and replaced either by apathy, ignorance, greed, megalomania, lack of the skills to interpret and value what really happened and what might have happened – if only they’d had an ounce of his passion, leadership and skill available to them, then surely the whole world would be a happier, more inclusive and safer environment for all – rather than a newer version of the cold war that relies on false news, computer hacking, abduction and the murder of detractors – the list goes on. Read this wonderful book while you still can.

For anyone living at the end of the Cold War this book clearly and readably covers all of the detail and interactions between the 3 main political leaders. It is somewhat taken for granted that Communism was dead but as this book highlights if it hadn't been for the conjunction of Gorbachev, Regan and Thatcher then we'd probably still have an Iron Curtain and thousands of nuclear missiles. That we currently live in a new Cold War is as much the fault of lesser politicians and the breaking of verbal promises about NATO expansion than some preordained outcome of an untrustworthy Russia. A good read highly recommended.

Its quite dense in parts, but if you persevere it is probably worth it.

Mr. Brown examine the three World leaders successfully...Reagan, Thatcher and Gorbachev and their relationship and ending the cold war.in the beginning book enter the World after the WWII and relationship between Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin.then Mr. Brown examine the three world leaders...little biographies on Thatcher, Reagan and Gorbachev.

Although sometimes a bit wordy I found this an excellent account of a very confusing time in recent history when so much was going on in so many different places.

I had read Brown's book The Gorbachev Factor many years ago which was great. I hoped that this was as good if not better, fortunately it is. He looks at the 3 leaders who worked to transform the world by ending the Cold War. Thatcher, whatever you think of all the negative things she did which were many, deserves praise here. She was the catalyst between Reagan and Gorby which enabled the monumental changes and end the ever-present danger of nuclear war and the destruction of the planet. Brown looks at how they worked as a team to achieve what looked the impossible when Gorby came to power. Although he quite properly gives a great deal of credit to the US and UK leaders, he makes it very clear through detailed analysis and evidence that 80% of it was due to Gorby.Brown shoots down the theories that the phenomenal changes would have happened in the USSR sooner or later by developments; also that the US manipulated Gorby into doing all that he did. Brown makes it very clear that this was far from the truth. He is not afraid to quote other historians who were so blinkered that what they wrote was not only incorrect but pathetic, likewise he does the same with politicians such as Jean Kirkpatrick. He brings out things about Gorby which i hadn't fully realized such as his vision and statements on the environment and the planet's health.Gorby realized early on that there were serious problems in the USSR but kept mum about them to rise to the top of the system. Then against massive odds set about transforming the USSR into something humane and end the danger of MAD. Against him were all the institutions of state including the military/industrial empire, also the mindset of the millions of communist party official who were riding the gravy train and wanted to keep things that way. That he achieved what he did is looking back quite amazing; only a very special person could have done what he did. This from a boy from a rural village and a poor peasant family.Brown has access to a great deal of documentation/FIQuestions/interviews/conferences/et al. Thus he clarifies how Gorby achieved what he did against all the odds. However, most talk of him today seems to be what he didn't achieve not what he did. He clarifies that this is very unfair criticism of Gorby. He wanted to keep the USSR together but where the individual states had sovereignty within a federation of nations, similar to the EU of today. This criticism ignores the 12 major triumphs he created including: end of the arms race, end of the Cold War, the unification of Germany, political freedom throughout the USSR, the end of dictators such as Caucescu.What is frightening in the book is how close we came to nuclear war on several occasions due to either human error, or technological failures, or misunderstandings.Gorby was promised that NATO wouldn't expand eastwards and become a threat to Russia. This was understandable as the Russian mindset was based on all the invasions from Napoleon onwards which created anxiety in the nation. This promise was breached as now NATO countries are based on the Russian border. Obviously the danger of this is to make Russians so fearful of a superpower next door to them they may be tempted to elect a leader seen as all-powerful to stand up to the West and create a new Cold War. This would destroy all the excellent work the Human Factor that the 3 created in achieving what they did.Brown looks at Yeltsin and as we see with how politicians outside USSR see him, " Yeltsin is not interested in policy only power, he wants to eliminate Gorby and take power. He obviously believes in the Triumph of the Will". Brown clarifies how appalling was his leadership and destructive he was to the nation and just to make things worse the alcoholic worked hard to get Putin to take over from him.Brown looks at how the 3 were looking at the world when they became adults. Although Reagan was no intellectual (and was hoping that the US and the USSR would work together if aliens invaded), he still had the big picture clearly ie. to stop the destruction of the world. Thatcher's attitude changed towards the Evil Empire after becoming close friends with Gorby by his sheer force of personality. These 3 worked together as a team to create something special. Gorby needed these 2 onside to push through all that he needed to do. He probably wouldn't have been able to do it without their help. Schultze, the senior politician comes out of all this extremely well in his work and guidance of Reagan. Brown isn't afraid to name and criticize the hardliners on both sides. If they had had their way nothing would have changed and we would still be living in a MAD world, if it hadn't happened already.I would love to see Brown write a book on Russia in the 21st Century and the world today. I'd like him to clarify the relationships between Putin and the leaders in the West, especially Obama and Trump, now that would be interesting.Gorby is now old so it will be interesting to see who goes to his funeral. It will be interesting to see how the media portray him and his legacy. One thing is sure he has 2 big fans, Brown and me.

I was in the Soviet Union as it collapsed. I am still trying to make sense of it, 30 years on. So Archie Brown's sympathetic and knowledgeable description of what happened is a most helpful masterpiece. It rightly won the Pushkin House Prize (against very strong opposition). The key to it is that he studies the personalities - as the title suggests. It is quite a personal book, as well as a work of history.

This is an excellent book. The author's analysis of events (some of which he participated in or was a witness to), the supporting data and notes, the clarity of his writing makes this book one of the best history books I have read.

Excelente libro sobre la importancia de la agencia en un capítulo de la historia contemporánea que sigue hoy vigente. Redacción a la altura de su prestigio de Archie Brown, de la Universidad de Oxford.

Having enjoyed Archie Brown's book "The Myth of the Strong Leader," I purchased this book and was not disappointed. It is an insightful, well written, and nuanced look at Reagan, Thatcher, and Gorbachev and the role each played in bringing the Cold War to an end. It avoids the partisanship and triumphalism of many other accounts and reminds us of the difference that individuals can make-the human factor.

The author's thesis is that the end of the cold war is due to Gorbachev and his colleagues (with which everyone agrees), and that he brought freedom of speech, press and travel to his country. (The chaotic and inept transition to capitalism mostly came later.) It was to the great credit of Reagan and Thatcher that they saw and appreciated what was happening in spite of elements in their administrations who seemed to want the cold war to continue. A very readable and enjoyable book!

Excellent, informative and well written expose of the way in which three very honest and visionary leaders supported one of the biggest political events of the century. Strongly recommend that after reading this people read "How the KGB too over the Russian government".