Căderea unui dictator

Căderea unui dictator looks at the violence in Romania’s Revolution. The events took place in December 1989. Andrei Ursu and Roland O. Thomasson use records found recently. These come from the case file on the Revolution. The book brings together studies of this part of history. It is for readers drawn to the revolt. It also explores disputes over who fired the shots.

The authors say the Securitate spent years building an armed network. Its task was to fight if Nicolae Ceaușescu lost power. They say his flight put the plan into action. Members fought on after 22 December. They used hidden stores of arms below ground. Tunnels linked these stores to blocks of flats. They also led to sites used by Securitate staff and their contacts. The authors link shots from these sites to more than a thousand victims.

Why did claims that blamed foreign forces gain ground? The book points to memories that faded and records kept back. It says these, with false claims, hid the Securitate’s role. Even foes of communism spread such accounts. The authors reject claims that the Revolution was not real. They also reject claims that belittle those who took part.

Dan Ioan, a military magistrate, comments on the probes. He questions their focus on tired troops who felt fear. His concern is who began to shoot instead.

The book starts a new series of Caietelor Revoluției. It comes out with backing from the Institute of the Romanian Revolution of December 1989.