Memories by Andrei Gromyko lands on the |> SALE <| shelves in my shop.
Hutchinson, 1989, Hardback in dust wrapper.
Illustrated by way of: Black and White Photographs;
From the cover: The memoirs of Andrei Andreevich Gromyko are a unique publishing event. For more than fifty years he has held high office in the Soviet government, serving under every leader from Stalin to Gorbachev. As his countrys Foreign Minister he has met and negotiated with almost every leader throughout the world. Now in his memoirs he reveals the behind-the-scenes behaviour of Kremlin leaders, and the characters and events which have dominated his political life. Memories is one of the most important documents to come out of the Soviet Union, not only from a political point of view but because of the remarkable insight it gives into Gromykos Russia.
We learn of his upbringing in a small village far from the main cities, of his early academic prominence and of his courtship of his wife, Lidia Grinevich. We see him, in 1943, as ambassador to Washington, then in Yalta, alongside Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill. There are fascinating portraits of all his leading political contemporaries, but revelations too, such as the time Mao asked for Soviet support for an atomic bombing of American forces.
Gromyko also writes of many non-political figures whom he has met, including Charlie Chaplin, Paul Robeson and Marilyn Monroe, and of his friendship with Boris Pasternak. He speaks honestly of the internal issues of the day, such as human rights and of the present administrations attempts at glasnost. Many of his views from his sympathy for Nixon over Watergate to his affection for the Queen Mother will surprise those whose views of Soviet leaders are based on stereotypes.
Memories was first published in the Soviet Union in February 1988. For this edition Andrei Gromyko has added over 30,000 words of new material covering every aspect of his life and times, specifically expanding aspects of his story of interest to a Western audience.
Very Good in Very Good Dust Wrapper. Price Clipped. Top edge of the text block tanned. Text complete, clean and tight.
Black boards with Gilt titling to the Spine. [X] 365 pages. Index. 9½” x 6¼”.
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