{"product_id":"9781398714038","title":"The Dark Side of the Earth","description":"Author: Mikhail Zygar\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 9781398714038\u003cbr\u003ePublisher: Orion\u003cbr\u003eYear first published: 24 Feb 2026\u003cbr\u003ePages: 560\u003cbr\u003eFormat: Paperback \/ softback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eA \u003ci\u003eTIMES\u003c\/i\u003e HISTORY BOOK OF THE YEAR\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eOn April 12, 1961, the Soviet Union begins its countdown. From the steppes of Kazakhstan, the first human - Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin - launches into space.\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn that moment, another countdown begins. How could it be that a single generation - just three decades - would separate the USSR's crowning achievement from the collapse of the Soviet empire?\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eMore than a history lesson, \u003ci\u003eThe Dark Side of the Earth\u003c\/i\u003e is a testament to the enduring fight for truth and freedom. In pursuit of the real story, renowned Kremlin opponent Mikhail Zygar ('one of Russia's smartest and best-sourced young journalists' - \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e) gathered witness statements of jaw-dropping candour from hundreds of key players: the last first secretaries and first presidents of the post-Soviet republics, the leaders of independence movements, Western politicians and diplomats, and Mikhail Gorbachev himself, not to mention dozens of scientists, authors, film directors, aspiring rockstars and ordinary men and women who for a time became the accidental protagonists of history. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe end of the USSR set the stage for today's vengeful return. But as Gagarin looked down from the stars at his home world, was Russia's fate already written?","brand":"Ships in 10 to 15 days","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46697801187486,"sku":"ADS-9781398714038","price":34.78,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0400\/9043\/5742\/files\/9781398714038.jpg?v=1775719684","url":"https:\/\/classicbargains.com.au\/products\/9781398714038","provider":"Classic Bargains Australia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}