Short and fairly interesting account of the August Coup from the man at the centre of it. This book is essentially a primary historical document now, for all that it only covers a few days in the history of a nation. I'm not greatly familiar with Russian history, but it's fairly easy to get the gist of what's going on here. The main point of interest is the sheer idealism with which Gorbachev appears to think of his country's shift in focus. I'm not sure that ever became reality, but this account serves as a reminder of how idealism can motivate change if nothing else.