Mikhail Gorbachev was the eighth leader of the Soviet Union from 1988 to 1991. He is particularly known for the policies of glasnost ("openness") and perestroika ("restructuring") and his reorientation of Soviet strategic aims that contributed to the end of the Cold War.History and politics of the former Soviet Union. Biographical interest - Mikhail Gorbachev.Book; 296 pages. Cover: blue background; colour photograph of Mikhail Gorbachev; yellow and white lettering; author's name and title.btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, gorbachev, mikhail, politics and government - ussr, glasnost, perestroika, soviet union, cold war, foreign relations