Breaking with Moscow

Breaking with Moscow is Arkady Shevchenko's first-hand account of his time as a high-ranking Soviet diplomat and UN official during the Cold War. As a former Under Secretary General of the United Nations and advisor to Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko, Shevchenko had direct access to the inner workings of Soviet power structures and foreign policy decisions. The narrative traces his path from a young idealistic Soviet citizen through his rise in the diplomatic ranks, documenting key historical events and policy decisions from an insider's perspective. Shevchenko details the day-to-day operations of Soviet diplomacy and provides insights into the personalities of prominent Soviet leaders. Through his personal story, Shevchenko explores broader themes of ideology, loyalty, and the moral complexities faced by those within authoritarian systems. His account serves as both a Cold War historical document and a study of individual conscience versus state power.

Readers found this Cold War memoir credible and detailed, offering a rare inside view of Soviet diplomatic operations and defection. Many noted the book's careful explanation of Soviet bureaucracy and power structures. Liked: - Technical details about diplomatic protocols and procedures - Personal accounts of interactions with Soviet leaders - Clear writing style that makes complex politics accessible - Behind-the-scenes look at UN operations Disliked: - Some sections move slowly, especially early bureaucratic descriptions - Limited personal/emotional content about the author's family - Could have included more about post-defection life - A few readers questioned certain timeline details Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (127 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (31 ratings) "Reads like a spy thriller but with real policy implications" - Goodreads reviewer "Important historical document, though dry in parts" - Amazon reviewer "Best firsthand account of how Soviet diplomacy actually worked" - LibraryThing review

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🔹 Arkady Shevchenko was the highest-ranking Soviet diplomat to defect to the West during the Cold War, serving as Under Secretary General of the United Nations before his defection in 1978. 🔹 Before publishing the book in 1985, Shevchenko spent several years working as a double agent for the CIA while still maintaining his position at the UN. 🔹 The book reveals intimate details about Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev's personality, including his vanity, love of luxury cars, and tendency to cry easily during emotional moments. 🔹 Following his defection, Shevchenko lived under constant protection due to credible assassination threats from the KGB, which had previously succeeded in killing other high-profile defectors. 🔹 The memoir caused significant controversy by exposing how the Soviet Union used the United Nations as a platform for gathering intelligence and spreading propaganda throughout the 1960s and 1970s.