OUR SECRET ALLIES: The Peoples of Russia

by Eugene Lyons ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 23, 1953

Back in 1937 Harcourt, Brace published one of the first closely reasoned records of the disillusionment of a one-time advocate of Soviet Russia, Assignment in Utopia. Lyons --reporter for U.P. -- was there for six years, during which his hopes for a new way of life suffered violent reversals, and he began to see through the eyes of the people of Russia the species of slavery which was being imposed. Now, when the climate of opinion has swung almost wholly towards this view he has written another and more powerful indictment of a system which has enslaved the peoples of Russia, and of the policies stemming out of Yalta, which have identified Stalin (now Malenkov) and his gang with Russia, and sacrificed ""our secret allies"" to the cause of containment. It is a damning picture he has drawn as he explores every aspect of surface claims, and shows the falsities. Perhaps the biggest news value lies in the revelations of the reception of the Germans as saviors (and their subsequent betrayal of the people of the conquered area that trusted them). Perhaps the biggest blow to American- and Allied- esteem lies in the role played in wantonly sacrificing refugees and prisoners and DP's who fought against being returned to the masters- and death or slave labor camps. Lyons' voice is another witness to the crimes of these labor camps. Historically, he marshals evidence to prove successively the failures beneath the claims of success in the fields of justice, labor discipline, elimination of opposition on the agricultural front, endorsement of the system by the youth of Russia, treatment of minorities, etc. etc. When Lyons the reporter is speaking he is completely convincing; his facts speak for themselves. The reader accepts his thesis that our policy must change at the roots - our hopes lie only in the strength of opposition in the hearts of the people. When he attempts to chart a course he seems somewhat visionary. Wishful thinking overrides the cold hard facts. He does not feel that war is inevitable; he does think we must take the initiative and capitalize now on the continuing civil war within Russia itself. That we must get to the peoples of Russia a sense of confidence that they are not exempted from the promises to release captured people from slavery. Absorbing-enlightening- controversial. Definitely a good blow struck for a positive role of democracy.

Pub Date: Nov. 23, 1953

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Little, Brown- D.S. & P.

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1953

Categories: NONFICTION