Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Mosfilm Film Concern – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
January 26, 2026
News editorial office
Georgy Khosroevich Shakhnazarov (1924–2001) was a renowned Soviet and Russian political scientist, political figure, Doctor of Law, Corresponding Member of the USSR Academy of Sciences, historian, writer, and publicist. From the 1960s, he worked in the International Department of the CPSU Central Committee, then served as an aide to Mikhail Gorbachev, participating in the development of the concepts of perestroika and "new thinking." Therefore, his perspective on the events described in this book is particularly valuable.
Year of publication: 2026 (Prospect Publishing House) Genre: Political memoirs, historical and journalistic research Foreword: Karen Shakhnazarov
Main idea and structure
This two-volume book presents a comprehensive analysis of the phenomenon of political leadership in the history of the USSR and Russia through the lens of the author's personal experience. Georgy Shakhnazarov is more than just a chronicler—he is also attempting to uncover the deep historical and sociocultural roots of "leadership" in Russia, as well as to understand whether the country can transition to other models of governance.
The book is valuable for the author's deeply personal and insightful observations of Soviet leaders – Leonid Brezhnev, Yuri Andropov, and Mikhail Gorbachev. The latter's reign and Perestroika are the subject of the book's most detailed and emotional pages. The author was an active participant in these events, an advisor, and an ally of the first and last president of the USSR. But the book's cast of characters is not limited to Soviet leaders – over the years, the author also interacted with leaders of the socialist bloc: Fidel Castro, Erich Honecker, Willem Jaruzelski, and Gerhard Husak. The combination of vivid sketches and in-depth analysis creates a vivid picture of public life in our country and the countries of Eastern Europe, the morals that reigned in the Kremlin and the Central Committee building on Staraya Square, and introduces the reader to the world of Big Politics and its creators.
In the second part of the book, the author, among other things, reflects on why post-Soviet Russia has once again found itself in search of a "strong hand." He analyzes the Yeltsin era as a period of chaotic, crisis-ridden governance that discredited the very idea of democracy in the eyes of many citizens. Georgy Shakhnazarov hopes that the country will be able to develop a stable system of rotating power based on the rule of law and civil society. Reflecting on the future of our world as a whole, the author does not hide his anxiety, but as a true humanist, he believes that humanity will be able to endure this critical moment, provided that the very principles of existence—non-violence, disarmament, a rejection of excessive consumption, etc.—are changed.
“Even if a fertile oasis lies somewhere ahead, the path to it lies through great trials and hardships,” the author concludes.
Style and dignity
Georgy Shakhnazarov masterfully combines analytical style with a lively, almost artistic narrative. The book is written in a vivid, journalistic style. The traditionally dry historical generalizations characteristic of biographies and memoirs are enlivened by personal recollections, behind-the-scenes scenes, and apt psychological portraits – of both leaders and ordinary people the author encountered along his life's journey. And his recollections of the Great Patriotic War or his youth and studies in his native Baku are simply mini-stories in their own right! Georgy Shakhnazarov, a fire platoon commander in the 1095th Army Cannon and Artillery Regiment and a battery control platoon commander in the 150th Sevastopol, Order of Kutuzov, Army Cannon and Artillery Brigade, captured the Perekop Isthmus and participated in the liberation of Sevastopol, Minsk, Lithuania, and the capture of Königsberg.
The book will be of interest to historians and political scientists as an important source on the late Soviet era. The author's insights will help us understand the logic of the ruling elite's actions during those years, the "truth" of the post-war generation of political figures, and the underlying causes of perestroika. For those reflecting on the phenomenon of power in Russia, the book will provide rich food for thought about the cyclical patterns of Russian politics and, even more broadly, the cyclical nature of global political and cultural processes.
It's important to note that the author's position is not that of a dissident or outside observer. Shakhnazarov was part of the elite, which makes his critique particularly valuable—he understood the mechanisms of power from within.
Georgy Shakhnazarov's "With and Without Leaders" is the intellectual testament of an outstanding Soviet reformer, a prominent political scientist, a true patriot, and a citizen. It is a profound, informative, and honest attempt to understand Russia's historical path through the prism of political leadership. The book offers no easy answers, but it helps us understand the complexity and drama of Russia's recent history. A must-read for anyone who wants to go beyond black-and-white assessments of the Soviet period and understand the inner logic of its transformation. It also offers insight into the fascinating personality of Georgy Shakhnazarov—a thoughtful observer, a talented political figure, writer, and poet who navigated the many paths of the challenging 20th century.
Georgy Khosroevich Shakhnazarov (1924 – 2001)
You can purchase the book on the following marketplaces:–OZON–Litgid–WB
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