THE RELUCTANT SATELLITES

by Leslie B. Bain ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 28, 1960

The author is a journalist who has done most of his recent reporting from the satellite countries. He knows them and their problems quite well. This book is a sort of summary of the situation in the Russian satellites, with special emphasis on Hungary and the late Revolution, which stands out as the single most important event behind the iron curtain since Stalin's death. The author contends that the Revolution was mainly the work of the liberal Communists who were trying to free themselves of Stalinism. He places as much blame on the West, particularly the United States, as he does on the Soviet Union, for the final failure of the Revolution. He believes that America had become too McCarthyized so that it was unprepared to accept the liberal Communists any more than it could accept the Stalinists. Mr. Bain's account of the Revolution varies considerably from those already published. He is particularly critical of the role played by Radio Free Europe prior to and during the uprising. The book ends on a rather pessimistic note as the present state of affairs is appraised. In Yugoslavia Djilas is in jail. In Hungary the liberal Communists have been silenced. In Poland there is extreme disenchantment with both East and West. And in Czechoslovakia, there is pure and simple compliance with the will of the master.

Pub Date: March 28, 1960

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Macmillan

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1960

Categories: NONFICTION