Drawing on her extensive experience in Russia, Helen Womack provides a unique perspective on the country's political evolution under Gorbachev, Yeltsin, and Putin. She combines her insights with the stories of ordinary Russians who navigated the tumultuous changes following the fall of Communism. The updated edition reflects on recent events, including the conflict in Ukraine, while the title metaphorically illustrates the cyclical nature of Russian politics—oscillating between hope and danger, stability and stagnation, akin to the harsh seasons of the climate.
