Midnight diaries / Boris Yeltsin ; translated by Catherine A. Fitzpatrick.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Yeltsin, Boris Nikolayevich, 1931-2007.

Language:

English

Russian

Subjects (All):

Yeltsin, Boris Nikolayevich, 1931-2007.

Yeltsin, Boris Nikolayevich.

Heads of state--Russia (Federation)--Biography.

Heads of state.

Russia (Federation)--Politics and government--1991-.

Russia (Federation).

Politics and government.

Genre:

Biographies.

Autobiographies.

Physical Description:

xxviii, 398 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations ; 25 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

New York : Public Affairs, [2000]

Summary:

Boris Yeltsin suffered from insomnia. In the long hours around midnight, when the events of the day weighed on him and he could not sleep, Yeltsin would often retreat to his study and write in his diary. These diaries -- whether brief notes on the day's events, passionate tirades on political rivals, or intimate reflections on his career and family -- form the basis of this book. Through Yeltsin's own eyes, we witness the struggles of a country on the brink of collapse and the man who did everything possible to keep it together.

It wasn't easy. During Yeltsin's ten-year presidency, Russia suffered several military coup attempts, two wars in Chechnya, an economic meltdown, and a horrific rise in criminality and corruption.

Midnight Diaries focuses on Yeltsin's second term as president. During the heated 1996 election campaign, Yeltsin suffered a severe heart attack and his popularity plummeted. He won the race, but the Communist Duma soon brought impeachment proceedings against him. Still, Yeltsin clung to power. Following his keen political instinct, he repeatedly swapped prime ministers and restructured his presidential staff. He brought his daughter, Tanya, into the administration and recruited a young team of brilliant minds to introduce much-needed economic reforms to the country. The transition to a market economy was difficult. As the economy soured, the vengeful Duma struck again. And again, Yeltsin out-maneuvered his political rivals by cleverly juggling his staff. On December 31, 1999, Yeltsin revealed his final surprise: He stepped down from office and slipped his successor, Vladimir Putin, into place.

These are Boris Yeltsin's words. Like the man himself, they are passionate, stubborn, blustery, and direct. They are also deeply personal. We are with Yeltsin as he hunts for wood grouse, eats his wife's pirogi, and plays with his grandchildren. We are there as he struggles with his drinking; suffers through heart attacks; and experiences the first strange emptiness of retired life. We learn his frank opinions of Bill Clinton, Jacques Chirac, Helmut Kohl, and other world leaders. We witness his moments of triumph and disappointment, joy and regret.

Contents:

Diagram of Boris Yeltsin's World xxiv

1 December 31, 1999 1

2 Tanya 15

3 The Operation: Before and After 35

4 The Generals of Russia 51

5 Chubais and the 1997 Team 71

6 Kiriyenko 103

7 Working with the Documents 115

8 The Group of Eight and Its Leaders 129

9 Meetings in Shirtsleeves 145

10 The Collapse of the Ruble 165

11 The Autumn Jinx 179

12 Primakov's Stabilization 195

13 On the Sick List Again 207

14 Prosecutor Skuratov 221

15 Neighbors 237

16 The Kosovo Crisis 255

17 Primakov's Resignation 267

18 Premier Poker 279

19 The Mayor Goes on the Attack 289

20 Personal Matters 299

21 "Yeltsin Has Gone Mad" 325

22 The Second Chechen War 335

23 The Last Summit 345

24 The Party of the Center: Unity 351

25 Presidential Guarantees 359

26 A Different Life 367.

Notes:

Published simultaneously in Russian; will also be published in France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Includes index.

ISBN:

1586480111

OCLC:

44794897