Robert Kaiser's analysis of life and politics in the Soviet Union during the '70s makes a good companion piece to Hedrick Smith's "The Russians." While Smith concentrated on the day-to-day interactions of Russians with each other and with foreigners, Kaiser takes a look at the everyday politics of life in the Soviet Union. He analyzes how its political life affects all aspects of a person's life from the most personal to world politics. He, like Smith, also spent years in the Soviet Union as a reporter, became intimate with many people, both famous and not. He makes predictions about the future of the Soviet Union which were interesting in light of what we know has happened. Well worth reading for people interested in the Soviet Union and its way of life. Read together, Smith's book and Kaiser's book presents the reader with penetrating and fascinating insight into the Russian people during the apex of the Communist era. ( )

Soviet Union