The Coming War Between Russia and China

by Harrison E. Salisbury

His first assignment in Russia was as head of the United Press bureau in Moscow in 1944. After joining The New York Times in 1949 he became their Moscow correspondent and remained there for the next five years. Out of his observations during this period grew his celebrated series for the Times, Russia Re-Viewed, which brought him the 1955 Pulitzer Prize. He subsequently wrote two books dealing with the same period, American in Russia (1955) and Moscow Journal--The End of Stalin (1961). His recently published The 900 The Siege of Leningrad was widely acclaimed and an important best-seller.

As a result of his reports Mr. Salisbury was barred from Russia for five years, and was not allowed to return to the country until 1959. At that time he stayed for nearly six months, traveling thousands of miles within the Soviet Union. His 1960 book, To Moscow and Beyond , was a result of this trip. He has since revisited Russia in 1961-62, 1966, 1967, and 1969.

Genres: History

223 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Harrison E. Salisbury (November 14, 1908 - July 5, 1993) was a long time reporter and editor at The New York Times.

Earlier in his career he had worked for the United Press, which he joined after earning a B.A. at the University of Minnesota in 1930. He began his career in journalism as a part-time reporter for the Minneapolis Journal during 1928-29.

Although he served in many different positions and places during his long career at the Times, Mr. Salisbury is perhaps most famous for his work as Moscow correspondent, covering the U.S.S.R. during the early years of the Cold War. After serving as the Times' Moscow Bureau Chief from 1949 to 1954, he returned to the U.S. and wrote a series of articles for which he won a Pulitzer Prize in 1955.

He spent a great deal of time concentrating on Asia during his later years at the Times, covering the Vietnam War as well as many different issues and events having to do with China.

Reviews

[Kym Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book like many on this subject was written as a reaction to the early 1960s open animosity between the two Communist powers.
Unlike earlier and perhaps less than balanced books Salisbury draws upon his experiences and knowledge on the region to offer an insight into the historical wariness of the two peoples highlighting that the distrust and politics of the day was not a new occurrence.

I really enjoyed this book and while it was written before the two powers entered into a brief shooting war in 1969, it was in many ways predictive of coming events.

The book briefly covers the suggestion that both sides were interested in courting the USA as a counter balance to the other, but does not really go very deep into this.

I am fond of Salisbury's writing style and would like to read more books written by him,

74 %

[Esha Nas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very well researched for 1969. Of course, the war did not happen, so far as 2016. Both powers had internal issues to deal with, and with the modern geopolitical landscape, both powers are allies-by-convenience at the least. However, this book provides a good snapshot to their relations up to 1969, and has merit thereof, and can be a valuable asset to those interested in Alternate History, but, again, it's nearly half a century old - a lot has changed since then.

[Joel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Coming War Between Russia and China is a breath taking study of the tense relations between both communist giants. Though the pages of this book you will discover that the vicious rivalry between Russia and China dates from centuries back, making the conflict rich in history. The Russian fear of the East, the Mongol Conquest, the czarist expansión, two titans display their muscles, as they try to prove who will rule the Far East.