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The hefty Down With Big Brother by Michael Dobbs charts the fall of the
Soviet Empire, and sheds light on the origins of the catastrophe facing Russian
science today. From the death of Tito, through Chernobyl, to the failed Russian
coup of 1991, the author’s easy style and lively pace give this book more the
air of a novel. Don’t be fooled, though. Dobbs’s account is backed by copious
notes and references, obviously the result of firsthand experiences and years of
research. Published by Bloomsbury, £16.99, ISBN 0747533946.