Synopses & Reviews
Christopher Mayhew gives a fascinating account of his early life at Oxford and the attraction of communism--so common among many of his contemporaries--and of his visit to the Soviet Union which was followed by disillusionment and the beginning of his strong anti-communist beliefs. After war service and entry into Parliament he was marked-out as a potential high-flyer and served as Personal Private Secretary to Ernest Bevin at the Foreign Office. The book's major importance begins in this period as it highlights Britain's role in the early Cold War years and shows how Britain was the first to take up the offensive to rebut Soviet propaganda and to try to further worldwide belief in Western social democracy.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 141-142) and index.
About the Author
Christopher Mayhew served as a Labour--and later as a Liberal--M.P. from 1945 to 1981 when he was created a Life Peer. He held ministerial positions in the Foreign Office and Ministry of Defense.