Holroyd-Doveton J. O. Maxim Litvinov

This biography of Maxim Litvinov is the most comprehensive yet written, aided (helped) considerably by information supplied by his daughter and so contains much material not previously published. The biography shows how age (maturity) and the holding of office transformed Litvinov from a young revolutionary to becoming a much more orthodox politician. It illustrates how he dominated, by his speeches, the League of Nations and relates his efforts both to prevent the Second World War and the Cold War. It describes the rivalry between Molotov and Litvinov, and speculates on how Litvinov, while being critical of Stalin, survived the Purges. The biography highlights the many inconsistencies in his career living a life style of a Tsarist foreign minister while being a Communist and both supporting and criticising the Purges.