This book surveys Soviet history from the late Imperial era through the early post-Soviet period, roughly the middle 1990s. What holds its narrative together is the author's theme that many people in Russia and the Soviet Union were inspired by an idealistic vision (or series of visions). He traces the course of this vision, from its first flowering and repeated deferments (and modifications) through its gradual fading and eventual abandonment. It provides a good narrative and interesting commentary. ( )