Russia and Germany reborn

P. Rutland

Stent analyzes a crucial but often overlooked relationship in the international system: that between Russia and Germany. The bulk of her book is devoted to a detailed analysis of the complex and dramatic diplomacy surrounding the unification of Germany, covering the years 1988-94.
— Choice Magazine

From The Critics

Stent's book is a significant contribution to the field of Soviet-German relations. Her knowledge of Russian and German is a major asset that allows her to use a wide variety of materials that add much to our knowledge of German and Russian policies. The book is indispensable reading for those interested in Soviet policy toward German unification.F. Stephen Larrabee, International Policy Department, RAND
—F. Stephen Larrabee, International Policy Department, RAND

Jeffery Herf

To this library Angela Stent's fine book may now be added. It focuses on an insufficiently examined aspect of these events, namely, relations between the Soviet Union and West and East Germany, and then on German-Russian relations since 1990. Stent wants to explore what she calls the great puzzle: why and how Moscow assented to what had always been depicted as its worst postwar political nightmare-a united Germany in NATO.
— The New Republic

Foreign Affairs - Robert Legvold

Stent combines a detailed account of Soviet politics and decision-making up to German unification with thoughtful reflection on why this thoroughly unimagined outcome came about. The prose and tale are highly readable, not least because the gap between the scale of the stakes involved and the drift and lameness of Soviet foreign policy is so stunning. But Stent does not stop here. She traces the Russian-German relationship since unification and ponders the place of both countries in a very different Europe.

Survival - Stephen F. Szabo

[A] concise, well-written, and illuminating study.... Professor Stent is one of the few American scholars who combine expertise on Russia and on East and West Germany.... She has made the most of all these strengths to produce a fine, readable, concise yet comprehensive history.... A well-rounded and well-researched account of the crucial Soviet-German side of the story.

Wall Street Journal - Frederick Kempe

Excellent.... Understanding the historic transformation of the German-Russian relationship is reason enough to read Ms. Stent's intelligent and perceptive book..... Yet the more compelling reason to read it is for its history.

The New Republic - Jeffrey Herf

This is a book that helps to unravel the puzzle of how the Cold War's unlikely end came about, and suggests directions for future archival research of how a unified Germany and a post-communist Russia emerged, without anybody paying for these astounding transformations with their lives.

Slavic Review - James M. Goldgeier

A highly accessible and valuable account of the German-Russian relationship. Well researched and enhanced by interviews with leading participants, this book's ability to bring order to the complexities of a history marked by so much tragedy and so much potential will be appreciated by students and scholars alike.

The Jerusalem Post - Ralph Amelan

Angela E. Stent deftly takes the reader through the complex events that led to the German reunification. It was never as inevitable as it seemed in retrospect. . . . Much delicate diplomatic work was necessary, and Stent expertly chronicles the twists and turns and the interplay of interests.

Foreign Affairs

Stent combines a detailed account of Soviet politics and decision-making up to German unification with thoughtful reflection on why this thoroughly unimagined outcome came about. The prose and tale are highly readable, not least because the gap between the scale of the stakes involved and the drift and lameness of Soviet foreign policy is so stunning. But Stent does not stop here. She traces the Russian-German relationship since unification and ponders the place of both countries in a very different Europe.
— Robert Legvold

Survival

[A] concise, well-written, and illuminating study.... Professor Stent is one of the few American scholars who combine expertise on Russia and on East and West Germany.... She has made the most of all these strengths to produce a fine, readable, concise yet comprehensive history.... A well-rounded and well-researched account of the crucial Soviet-German side of the story.
— Stephen F. Szabo

Wall Street Journal

Excellent.... Understanding the historic transformation of the German-Russian relationship is reason enough to read Ms. Stent's intelligent and perceptive book..... Yet the more compelling reason to read it is for its history.
— Frederick Kempe

Slavic Review

A highly accessible and valuable account of the German-Russian relationship. Well researched and enhanced by interviews with leading participants, this book's ability to bring order to the complexities of a history marked by so much tragedy and so much potential will be appreciated by students and scholars alike.
— James M. Goldgeier

The New Republic

This is a book that helps to unravel the puzzle of how the Cold War's unlikely end came about, and suggests directions for future archival research of how a unified Germany and a post-communist Russia emerged, without anybody paying for these astounding transformations with their lives.
— Jeffrey Herf

The Jerusalem Post

Angela E. Stent deftly takes the reader through the complex events that led to the German reunification. It was never as inevitable as it seemed in retrospect. . . . Much delicate diplomatic work was necessary, and Stent expertly chronicles the twists and turns and the interplay of interests.
— Ralph Amelan