Maxim Litvinov : A Biography

Holroyd-doveton, J. O.; Holroyd-doveton, John

ISBN 10: 095729610X / ISBN 13: 9780957296107

Published by New Generation Publishing, 2013

About this Item

Seller Inventory # 19074668-n

Bibliographic Details

Title: Maxim Litvinov : A Biography

Publisher: New Generation Publishing

Publication Date: 2013

Binding: Soft cover

Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis:

This biography of Maxim Litvinov is the most comprehensive yet written, aided (helped) considerably by information supplied by his daughter and so contains much material not previously published. The biography shows how age (maturity) and the holding of office transformed Litvinov from a young revolutionary to becoming a much more orthodox politician. It illustrates how he dominated, by his speeches, the League of Nations and relates his efforts both to prevent the Second World War and the Cold War. It describes the rivalry between Molotov and Litvinov, and speculates on how Litvinov, while being critical of Stalin, survived the Purges. The biography highlights the many inconsistencies in his career living a life style of a Tsarist foreign minister while being a Communist and both supporting and criticising the Purges.

About the Author:

After a successful legal career, the author resumed his schoolboy passion in history. In obtaining his Open University Degree, he was required to write a dissertation, choosing as his subject a defence of Chamberlain and his policy of appeasement before the Second World War. This sparked a fascination in Litvinov and after meeting Litvinov's daughter Tanya, it increased his determination to write this biography of the only prominent Communist politician to have an English wife.