This book provides a unique view of British-Russian relations during the last fifteen years of the Soviet regime and thereafter into the post-communist era. As Director of a Foreign-Office-funded organisation promoting professional, intellectual and cultural contacts between Britain and Russia, Roberts earned the trust of leading figures in both countries. At the same time he had to maintain cross-party support in Parliament and the confidence of his Whitehall paymasters. These last occasionally proved as obstructive as the Soviet organisations - all opposed to unfettered contact with western people and ideas - with which he had to maintain a modus operandi. Undeterred by Cold War rhetoric, the author contrived to break down barriers and to earn the trust and gratitude of writers, musicians, theatre and film directors, scientists and even politicians. This is their eye-witness history, no less than his.

Reviews

'This is an excellent book, and I warmly commend it to all those who are interested in the development of cultural contacts between Britain and the Soviet Union during the height, and decline, of the Cold War.' - Lord Wright of Richmond, Postmaster and Merton College Record

Book Information
ISBN 9780700712960
Author John C. Q. Roberts
Format Hardback
Page Count 272
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 680g