Despite the fact that a quarter of a century has passed since the overthrow of Romania's last Communist leader Nicolae Ceaüescu in December 1989, an analytical monograph of Communist rule in the country has yet to be published in any major language.

This book rectifies that omission by analysing the application of the totalitarian model in Romania, the mechanisms used by the party to carry out 'the Communist revolution' of the country and its population, the removal of the opposition and the role of the political police, the Securitate, in maintaining Communist control.

Dennis Deletant is Visiting Ion Räiu Professor of Romanian Studies in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, Washington DC, and Emeritus Professor of Romanian Studies at University College, London.

1. The Early Years of the Romanian Communist Party 2. The Coup of 23 August 1944 and the Path to Power of the Communist Party 3. The Application of the Totalitarian Blueprint 4. The Securitate as an Instrument of Coercion 5. Gheorghiu-Dej's Path to Dominance 6. Gheorghiu-Dej's Consolidation of Power 7. The Romanian Gulag 8. Armed Resistance 9. Asserting Autonomy, 1956-1965 10. The Ascent of Nicolae Ceaüescu 11. Ceaüescu's Development of Autonomy 12. The Paradox of Foreign Policy 13. Promoting National Identity: Transylvania and Bessarabia 14. Compliance towards the Regime 15. Dissent 16. Degeneration and Isolation 17. The Romanian Revolution 18. Epilogue