"Was It Better in the Soviet Union?"

Was It Better in the Soviet Union?: A life journey through the last decade of the USSR

By Dmitry Molchan

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was the largest country and one of the mightiest empires in history. That’s why, when the USSR fell apart in 1991, it left remnants of its power, accomplishments, and influence on the culture and lifestyle of former Soviet citizens.

Dmitry’s book explores the last decade of the Soviet Union through his teenage perceptions of the time. His story illustrates the mundane realities of the remote port city of Vladivostok, closed to non-residents. He reflects on memories of home, education, school breaks, shopping, and many other things that shaped his youth.

Dmitry emphasizes the changes and influences of Perestroika, which paved a pathway for the collapse of the USSR. The author attempts to reveal whether life in the USSR was better and ruminates on the factors that contributed to the Soviet Union’s downfall.

The book isn’t based on research or journalism. Instead, it is a witness’s subjective perspective aimed at readers wanting to thoroughly grasp the realm of Soviet existence.