Customer Reviews

Memoirs of Nikita Khrushchev: Statesman, 1953-1964

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Never one to mince words or gloss over difficulties, Nikita Khrushchev tells everything he remembers of international events during his time in power. His take on conflicts with the Western powers gives a refreshingly different approach from all the Western propaganda that filled our airwaves and newspapers at that time. From Gary Powers to the Cuban Missile Crisis, he calls all these events as he saw them.

This book is a must read for anyone who is interested in the history of that time, from 1953 through 1964.

Be warned: with two companion volumes, these memoirs are a major undertaking for the average person. However, this book is essential reading for those with a keen interest in 1950s-60s world political history.

The editors have done a very nice job here with thorough chapter notes, chronological listings of Mr. Khrushchev's comings and goings, and excellent references to further readings.

Nikita Khrushchev was not a brilliant writer of prose (actually the book was dictated), but this is his straightforward account of his own foreign policy thoughts as a major world leader at a very critical time.