This ground-breaking book examines the Soviet ruling elite over the entire period of Communist rule. It serves as a collective biography of nearly two thousand people who served on the Communist Party's Central Committee from 1917 to 1991. The book is based on archival research, only available after the collapse of communism, and extensive interviews with former Central Committee members.About the Author: Evan Mawdsley is Professor of International History, University of Glasgow. Stephen White is Professor of Politics, University of Glasgow.