Reminiscences and Reflections [Translation of Russian Title]
Moscow: 1969. Presumed First Edition/First Printing. Hardcover. Book is in Russian. DJ has wear. 733, [3] pages. Georgy Zhukov, also known as the ‘Victory Marshall,’ was a life long professional soldier and the recipient of many of Russia's top honorary titles, including Hero of the Soviet Union three times. Ruthless, tough, and arrogant, Marshal Zhukov distinguished himself as the greatest military commander of World War II. In the difficult early years after Hitler's attack, he functioned as "fireman" for Stalin, who dispatched him to every vital crumbling front—notably Moscow itself and Leningrad—where he stabilized desperate situations. Then, as the Red Army turned to attack rather than defense, Zhukov played the leading role in drawing up plans for the major offensives, directing their implementation until the Red flag flew over the Reichstag building in Berlin and Nazi Germany lay prostrate. Why did Marshal Zhukov's memoirs remain unpublished for a quarter century? It was politically impossible for these memoirs to be issued during the Stalin or Khrushchev eras. Not until after Khrushchev's political demise in 1964 could Zhukov begin publishing chapters of his memoirs. And those chapters, which appeared individually in the late Sixties, have been revised for this book to take account of changes in the Kremlin line between 1965 and 1969 —particularly the new, more positive assessment of Stalin. The raw material of Zhukov's life, from his lowly birth in a tumble-down one-room cabin in a village of Kaluga province to his rise to military and political heights, is more than sufficient for an absorbing autobiography. Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov (1 December [O.S. 19 November] 1896 – 18 June 1974), was a career officer in the Red Army of the Soviet Union, who became Chief of General Staff, Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Minister of Defence and a member of the Politburo. During World War II he participated in multiple battles, ultimately commanding the 1st Belorussian Front in the Battle of Berlin. In recognition of Zhukov's role in World War II, he was allowed to participate in signing the German Instrument of Surrender and to inspect the Moscow Victory Parade of 1945.
After being forced out of the government, Zhukov stayed away from politics. Many people—including former subordinates—frequently paid him visits, joined him on hunting excursions, and waxed nostalgic. In September 1959, while visiting the United States, Khrushchev told US President Eisenhower that the retired Marshal Zhukov "liked fishing". Eisenhower, in response, sent Zhukov a set of fishing tackle. Zhukov respected this gift so much that he is said to have exclusively used Eisenhower's fishing tackle for the remainder of his life.
After Khrushchev was deposed in October 1964, Brezhnev restored Zhukov to favor (though not to power) in a move to use Zhukov's popularity to strengthen his political position. Zhukov's name was put in the public eye yet again when Brezhnev lionized Zhukov in a speech commemorating the Great Patriotic War. On 9 May 1965, Zhukov was invited to sit on the tribunal of the Lenin Mausoleum and given the honor to review the parade of military forces in Red Square.
Zhukov had begun writing his memoirs "Reminiscences and Reflections" ( ) in 1958. He now worked intensively on them, which together with steadily deteriorating health, served to worsen his heart disease. In December 1967, Zhukov had a serious stroke. He was hospitalized until June 1968, and continued to receive medical and rehabilitative treatment at home under the care of his second wife, Galina Semyonova, a former officer in the Medical Corps. His memoirs were published in 1969 and became a bestseller. Within several months of the date of publication of his memoirs, Zhukov had received more than 10,000 letters from readers that offered comments, expressed gratitude, gave advice, or lavished praise. Supposedly, the Communist Party invited Zhukov to participate in the XXIV General Assembly in 1971 but the invitation was rescinded. On 18 June 1974, Zhukov died after another stroke. Condition: Good / good.
Keywords: Second World War, Soviet Union, Red Army, Battle of Leningrad, 1st Belorussian Front, Battle of Berlin, General Officers, Autobiography, Politburo, Communist Party, Stalin, Khrushchev, Military Planning, General Staff
[Book #72761]
Price: $150.00