The Maisky Diaries: Red Ambassador to the Court of St James's, 1932-1943 - Hardcover

Gabriel Gorodetsky

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0300180675 ISBN 13: 9780300180671

Publisher: Yale University Press, 2015

Synopsis

Yale University Press 2015 hardcover fine condition book in fine condition dw In stock shipped from our UK warehouse

About this title

Review:

“Astonishing! Really remarkable. . . . Perhaps the greatest political diary of the twentieth century.”—Paul Kennedy
(Paul Kennedy 2015-03-01)

“A fascinating, rich volume, brimming over with insights into two radically different worlds. It only whets the reader's appetite for the full three-volume edition . . . which will surely stand as one of the great achievements of twenty-first century historical scholarship.”—Niall Ferguson
(Niall Ferguson 2015-03-01)

"Maisky’s diary, impeccably edited by Gabriel Gorodetsky, is not only a work of major historical importance. It also provides an utterly fascinating view of Anglo-Soviet relations and British politics during the critical period of 1932 to 1943."—Antony Beevor
(Antony Beevor)

“...an extraordinary document left by an extraordinary man"—Andy McSmith, The Independent

(Andy McSmith The Independent 2015-09-12)

‘Its candid depictions of the British political and social scene... are a find of historic importance and fascination’—Nicholas Shakespeare, The Daily Telegraph
(Nicholas Shakespeare Daily Telegraph 2015-09-19)

“...easily the most important diary of the Second World War period since Fringes of Power, Jack Colville’s records of working for Churchill, were published more than 30 years ago. Like Colville, Maisky had genuine literary talent as well as the ability constantly to be at the right place at the right time... All new accounts of the period will have to quote them in future... intensely readable, highly revelatory and well edited”—Andrew Roberts, Evening Standard
(Andrew Roberts Evening Standard 2015-09-24)

“...may turn out to be the most important contribution of 21st-century historical scholarship to our understanding of the causes, courses and consequences of the Second World War... It will be read —it will be metaphorically devoured — by anyone remotely interested in understanding the history of humanity’s darkest century.”—S.J.D Green, Standpoint
(S.J.D. Green Standpoint 2015-09-24)

“Maisky’s wonderful diary offers refreshing insights into the turbulent 1930s... Sparkled amid his fascinating observations of momentous developments is some delightful gossip, to which Maisky was addicted... Maisky’s painful reflections on the British character remind one of Samuel Pepys or Dr. Johnson.”—Gerard DeGroot, The Times
(Gerard DeGroot The Times 2015-09-26)

“Maisky was...clever, cultured, an exceptionally shrewd observer of Britain during his 11 years as ambassador in London from 1932... Maisky’s diaries make a significant new contribution to the historiography of his time, for which their editor deserves congratulations”—Max Hastings, Sunday Times
(Max Hastings The Sunday Times 2015-09-27)

“This chronicle of his embassy before and during the Second World War abounds in interest. It not only sheds fresh light on Anglo-Soviet relations but also contains fascinating accounts of prominent British figures...[Gorodetsky] deserves all credit for a masterly feat of original research and scholarly exposition”— Piers Brendon, Literary Review
(Piers Brendon Literary Review 2015-10-01)

“With their dramatized accounts of British policies and society in the pre-war world and later, his diaries are a feast...”—George Walden, New Statesman
(George Walden New Statesman 2015-10-16)

“Hitler’s War produced some remarkable political diaries, now essential evidence for historians... To this select list we must now add the name of Maisky... His vast diary is a fascinating and invaluable source on wartime relations between Moscow and London. It’s appearance in English is a triumph of meticulous scholarship and enlightened publishing... [Maisky’s] diary nearly cost him his life. Now, thanks to a skilled and sensitive editor, it will earn him immortality.”—David Reynolds, Times Literary Supplement
(David Reynolds TLS 2015-11-06)

“Deftly edited by Gabriel Gorodetsky. . .This is a must-read for aficionados of diplomatic history and especially of interwar British high society.”—Stephen Kotkin, The Wall Street Journal
(Stephen Kotkin The Wall Street Journal)

“The diary provides a valuable — and highly readable — insight into the Soviet view of events leading up to World War II.”—Joseph Goulden, The Washington Times
(Joseph Goulden The Washington Times)

“Anyone interested in this country’s attempts to appease then defeat Nazi Germany now has a treasure trove in the secret diaries of Ivan Maisky, Stalin’s ambassador to London... Maisky was brilliantly effective in forming relationships with leading British politicians, such as Winston Churchill and David Lloyd George, so the diaries are full of unforgettable personal insights into these giants.”—Dominic Lawson, Daily Mail
(Dominic Lawson Daily Mail 2015-11-27)

“Edited with scrupulous care by the historian Gabriel Gorodetsky, his diaries offer captivating perspectives... Maisky comes across as surprisingly humane, wry, and self-aware, and his conversations with Churchill are utterly gripping. Nobody interested in the period will want to miss them.”—Dominic Sandbrook, Sunday Times
(Dominic Sandbrook Sunday Times 2015-11-29)

“Gorodetsky compares Maisky’s diaries to Pepys’s in their astute observations of the British political and social scene, spiced with anecdotes and gossip... The detailed and lively reports in Maisky’s diaries of his many meetings with Churchill are particularly valuable”—Sheila Fitzpatrick, London Review of Books,
(Sheila Fitzpatrick London Review of Books 2015-12-03)

About the Author:

Gabriel Gorodetsky is a Quondam Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, and emeritus professor of history at Tel Aviv University.

About this edition

• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0300180675
• ISBN 13: 9780300180671
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 3
• Number of pages: 624