THE UGLY RUSSIAN

by Victor Lasky ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 28, 1965

The author is at pains in his Prologue to explain that his title is not to be equated with the best selling The Ugly American. While there it was used ironically and really meant..."" 'good' American, the word 'ugly,' as used in this book, recaptures its original connotation."" Well, among our uglier suspicions, is one that whispers that this title was chosen in hopes of achieving a money mnemonic to hook readers of The Ugly American. It's anybody's unreliable guess as to whether Lasky confirmed an audience with J.F.K.: The Man and the Myth (1963, P. 690) which, although energized and organized with malice, continued high on the b.s. lists even after the assassination, or whether that readership was temporary, motivated by curiosity induced by the thermal reactions of headline political reviews. Lasky's Ugly Russian is a line up of Soviet diplomatic enterprise characterized by their goofs, gaucherie and goonery. Lasky visited 25 countries in Asia, Africa and the Middle East collecting stories from natives and those of the pukka sahib class about the methods and effect of Russian propagandizing and proselytizing. He has come up with anecdotes and quotes that seem to prove that if our foreign policies have often been stupid, Russia's are more so. A very comforting book ... and a cash potential the publisher is banking on with massive national advertising planned.

Pub Date: June 28, 1965

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Trident

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1965

Categories: NONFICTION