With new information from Russian archives, this work examines the historical roots of Gorbachev's perestroika and the reforms that would eventually lead to the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The controversies among Soviet leaders from Lenin to Gorbachev over party role, economic management, resource allocation, ethnic policies, legality and foreign relations are discussed. An appendix "reads between the lines" in historic Soviet texts, and a helpful list of Soviet leaders, with brief identifications, is included.