Overview

Andrei Sakharov (1921–1989), a brilliant physicist and the principal designer of the Soviet hydrogen bomb, later became a human rights activist and—as a result—a source of profound irritation to the Kremlin. This book publishes for the first time ever KGB files on Sakharov that became available during Boris Yeltsin’s presidency. The documents reveal the untold story of KGB surveillance of Sakharov from 1968 until his death in 1989 and of the regime’s efforts to intimidate and silence him. The disturbing archival materials show the KGB to have had a profound lack of understanding of the spiritual and moral nature of the human rights movement and of Sakharov’s role as one of its leading figures.

Full Product Details

9780300106817

Table of Contents

Reviews

A fascinating, illuminating book, a treasure trove of information on the development of Sakharov's views and of the 'dissident movement' in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. -Jeane J. Kirkpatrick, Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute. -- Jeane J. Kirkpatrick

Sheds fascinating light on the working of the Soviet system at the highest level-its policy towards the intelligentsia and the dissidents. -Walter Laqueur -- Walter Laqueur It is fascinating and inspiring to read these documents and witness how the Soviet security apparatus with all its spies and bugging devices was unable to break the will of one indomitably courageous man. -Richard Pipes, Baird Professor of History, Emeritus, Harvard University -- Richard Pipes A fascinating, illuminating book, a treasure trove of information on the development of Sakharov's views and of the 'dissident movement' in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. -Jeane J. Kirkpatrick, Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute. -- Jeane J. Kirkpatrick

Sheds fascinating light on the working of the Soviet system at the highest level-its policy towards the intelligentsia and the dissidents. -Walter Laqueur -- Walter Laqueur It is fascinating and inspiring to read these documents and witness how the Soviet security apparatus with all its spies and bugging devices was unable to break the will of one indomitably courageous man. -Richard Pipes, Baird Professor of History, Emeritus, Harvard University -- Richard Pipes A fascinating, illuminating book, a treasure trove of information on the development of Sakharov's views and of the 'dissident movement' in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. -Jeane J. Kirkpatrick, Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute. -- Jeane J. Kirkpatrick

Author Information

Joshua Rubenstein is northeast regional director of Amnesty International USA. Alexander Gribanov is a literary scholar and archivist.

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