Assignment Russia

Assignment Russia chronicles Marvin Kalb's experiences as a diplomatic attaché turned CBS News Moscow correspondent during a pivotal period in Cold War history. The memoir covers his journey from 1956 through 1961, as he navigated both his journalism career and the complex political landscape of the Soviet Union. The narrative follows Kalb's unique path from Harvard graduate student to his role in the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, and ultimately to becoming CBS News' youngest-ever Moscow bureau chief. His position gave him access to major historical moments, including the U-2 spy plane incident and early Space Race developments. The book provides details of daily life for Western journalists working under Soviet restrictions, alongside accounts of encounters with key figures like Nikita Khrushchev. Kalb's dual background in diplomacy and journalism offers perspective on Cold War tensions and the challenges of reporting from behind the Iron Curtain. This memoir contributes to both Cold War scholarship and journalism history, illustrating how international reporting evolved during a period of intense superpower rivalry. The work examines the intersection of media, diplomacy, and truth-telling in an era of strict information control.

Readers highlight Kalb's firsthand accounts of covering major Cold War events as a young CBS Moscow correspondent in the 1950s. His personal interactions with Soviet citizens and officials provide unique insights into daily life during that era. What readers liked: - Detailed descriptions of reporting challenges under KGB surveillance - Behind-the-scenes look at early television news operations - Clear explanations of complex diplomatic situations What readers disliked: - Some sections focus too heavily on CBS office politics - Occasional repetition of anecdotes - A few readers wanted more analysis of broader historical context Ratings: Amazon: 4.5/5 (32 reviews) Goodreads: 4.2/5 (41 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Kalb transports you to Moscow during a fascinating period" - Amazon reviewer "The memoir loses momentum in later chapters" - Goodreads reviewer "Offers valuable lessons for today's journalists" - Foreign Affairs reader review

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🔷 Marvin Kalb was the last journalist hired by Edward R. Murrow at CBS News, beginning his career there in 1957 and becoming the network's Moscow Bureau Chief at just 28 years old. 🔷 During his time in Moscow, Kalb witnessed pivotal Cold War moments, including the U-2 spy plane crisis and the Berlin Wall construction, reporting these events firsthand to American audiences. 🔷 Before becoming a journalist, Kalb served as a translator and interpreter for the U.S. State Department in Moscow during the 1950s, giving him unique insights into Soviet society and politics. 🔷 The book reveals how Soviet authorities regularly bugged journalists' apartments and offices, leading correspondents to conduct sensitive conversations while walking outside or in noisy restaurants. 🔷 Kalb's experiences in Moscow laid the groundwork for his later career as founding director of Harvard's Joan Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy, where he helped shape a generation of journalists.