Synopses & Reviews
Including such epochal leaders as Joseph Stalin, Nikita Krushchev, and Fidel Castro and such pivotal world organizations as the League of Nations, the British Labour Party, and the Union of Democratic Control, this biography of Konni Zilliacus (1894-1967) chronicles the interactions of important policymakers of the 20th century and Zilliacus's efforts to move United Kingdom foreign policy toward peace and conciliation. In 1945 Zilliacus was elected as a Labour Member of Parliament, but for his opposition to Cold War policies and sympathy toward eastern Europe he was expelled for a time. He worked with the Union of Democratic Control, a pressure group that preceded the New Left. In his later years, he opposed the arms race and American intervention in Vietnam.
Review
“I strongly recommend this book as a contribution to the understanding of international affairs and . . . Labor history.” —Stan Newens, Morning Star
Synopsis
Zilliacus lived through turbulent years. He was an enemy of fascism from the 1930s, and after the Second World War worked against Cold War hysteria through meetings and contascts with Stalin, Khrushchev, Tito and Castro. Ernest Bevin hated the critical Gateshead Member of Parliament, and this led to his expulsion from the Labour Party. Zilliacus fought back and was re-admitted. In 1955 he won the parliamentary seat of Manchester Gorton for Labour. This biography, based on the Zilliacus Papers and other sources, traces the life of this remarkable man and throws light upon people and events over the first decades of the 20th Century. 'A brilliant biography of a brilliant man.' Tony Benn
About the Author
Archie Potts is a moderator for history courses at the North East Open College Network and vice president of the North East Labour History Society.