Ancestry and childhood -- Student and steelworker -- Young communist, young husband, young rebel -- Climbing the party ladder -- A frustrated prime minister 1984-1986 -- December 1986 and its consequences -- The coup and the breakup -- The birth pains of independence -- To nuclear or not to nuclear -- New currency - new constitution - new economy -- Russia, the Caspian and China -- Entering the 21st century part I - the domestic president -- Entering the 21st century part II - the international president -- A capital vision.