SOURCE: A review of Fatal Half Measures, in Slavic and East European Journal, Vol. 36, No. 1, Spring, 1992, pp. 120-22.

In the following review, Ludwig outlines the principal themes of Fatal Half Measures, revealing their significance to Yevtushenko's poetic works.

Until the publication of this book [Fatal Half Measures], the title of which comes from the 1989 poem which precedes the introduction, Yevgeny Yevtushenko was known in the English speaking world primarily through translations of his poetry. In her introduction, however, Antonina Bouis, borrowing the opening line of Yevtushenko's "Bratsk Hydroelectric Station," notes "A POET in Russia is more than a poet." To understand any Russian poet, especially Yevtushenko who has been a political player for almost thirty years, one must look beyond poetry. Therefore, with the help of the author, she has collected and translated this series of political essays, speeches, travelogues, and works of literary criticism, the majority of...