Synopsis
"Against the Grain: An Autobiography" by Boris Yeltsin, translated into English by Michael Glenny and first published in 1990, offers a compelling and candid look into the life and political career of one of the Soviet Union’s most controversial and transformative figures. Written at a pivotal moment in his career—shortly after his dramatic resurgence in Soviet politics following his ousting from the Communist Party elite—the book intertwines Yeltsin’s personal history with a detailed account of his 1989 election campaign for the position of "people's deputy" in Moscow, a victory that marked his return to prominence with an overwhelming 89 percent of the vote. This autobiography, originally titled Ispoved' na Zadannuiy Temu ("Confession on an Assigned Theme") in Russian, provides a unique insider’s perspective on the inner workings of Soviet politics during the late 1980s, a period defined by Mikhail Gorbachev’s reforms of perestroika and glasnost, which Yeltsin both supported and fiercely criticized.
The narrative begins with Yeltsin’s early life, painting a vivid picture of his upbringing in the harsh conditions of rural Russia near the Ural Mountains. Born in 1931 into a peasant family, he experienced firsthand the struggles of Soviet life, including poverty and the communal living arrangements that shaped his formative years. His education at the Ural Polytechnic Institute in Sverdlovsk, where he studied construction, laid the groundwork for his initial career as an engineer. Yeltsin recounts how, after graduating, he chose to spend a year working alongside laborers to understand their roles before taking on managerial responsibilities—a decision that reflects his pragmatic, hands-on approach, which would later define his political style. This period also marked his entry into the Communist Party in 1961, a necessary step for advancement in Soviet society, and his subsequent rise through its ranks, eventually becoming the first secretary of the Sverdlovsk province in 1976, a position he describes as wielding near-absolute power over the region.
Yeltsin’s ascent continued when Gorbachev, upon becoming General Secretary in 1985, brought him to Moscow to head state construction and later appointed him to lead the Moscow City Committee. Here, the book delves into his growing disillusionment with the Communist Party’s entrenched bureaucracy and Gorbachev’s cautious approach to reform. Yeltsin portrays himself as a reformer unafraid to challenge the status quo, firing corrupt officials and railing against the privileges of the party elite—actions that won him popular support but alienated him from the leadership. His outspoken criticism of Gorbachev’s handling of perestroika, particularly during a 1987 Politburo meeting where he accused the leader of losing touch with reality, led to his dramatic expulsion from the Politburo and the party’s upper echelons. Yet, this setback only fueled his resolve, and the autobiography captures his triumphant return via the 1989 election, framing it as a vindication of his principles and a testament to his connection with the Soviet people.
Throughout the book, Yeltsin blends personal anecdotes with political commentary, offering a self-portrait of a man who sees himself as both a product of the Soviet system and its most ardent critic. He reflects on his family life, including his marriage to Naya Girina and their two daughters, grounding his narrative in a relatable humanity that contrasts with the often impersonal nature of Soviet political discourse. His account of the 1989 campaign is interspersed with reflections on his past, creating a dynamic narrative that oscillates between memoir and manifesto. Yeltsin’s critique of Gorbachev is unrelenting—he accuses him of timidity and half-measures in implementing reforms—yet the book also reveals his own self-assuredness, at times bordering on self-aggrandizement, as he positions himself as a fearless advocate for change.
"Against the Grain" concludes with Yeltsin’s brief 1989 visit to the United States, a trip that broadened his perspective and reinforced his belief in the need for radical transformation in the Soviet Union. While the book does not cover his later tenure as Russia’s first president (1991–1999), it foreshadows the boldness that would define his leadership, including his defiance during the 1991 coup attempt and his role in the Soviet Union’s dissolution. Critics have noted that the autobiography occasionally dwells too long on repetitive childhood stories and early political experiences, some of which strain credulity, and that Yeltsin’s portrayal of himself as infallible can feel one-sided. Nonetheless, the book remains a vital historical document, offering an unfiltered glimpse into the mind of a man who would reshape Russia’s trajectory, blending personal resilience with a fierce determination to upend a faltering system. For readers interested in Soviet politics, Yeltsin’s rise, or the turbulent era of perestroika, "Against the Grain" stands as an essential, if unabashedly subjective, narrative.