In Confidence: Moscow's Ambassador to Six Cold War Presidents

by Anatoly Dobrynin

Anatoly Dobrynin arrived in Washington, D.C., in 1962 ― at 43 the youngest man ever to serve as Soviet Ambassador to the United States ― and remained through the presidencies of Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, and Reagan. Dobrynin became the main channel for the White House and the Kremlin to exchange ideas, negotiate in secret, and arrange summit meetings. Dobrynin writes vividly of Moscow from inside the Politburo, but In Confidence is mainly a story of Washington at the highest levels.

Genres: History, Politics, Biography, Nonfiction, Russia, Soviet Union, Russian History

688 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Will James]

An truly fantastic insight into the highest levels of the Cold War. Anatoly Dobrynin gives an unrivaled account of his time as Soviet Ambassador to Washington from the Kennedy to the Reagan Administration. Whilst some of his analysis of some of the major events of the 1960s, 70s and 80s are only skin deep (such as the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan), Dobrynin more than makes up for it with his own personal take on the policies and personalities that dominated both American and Soviet foreign relations during the period, especially in the areas of arms control and detente.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anatoly Dobrynin, Soviet Ambassador to the U.S. during the Cold War period and spanning the presidencies of Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, and Reagan, has rendered yeoman service to the U.S. as well as to his own country. He has also penned a fascinating and brilliant book that is well-balanced, acknowledging important strides and mistakes by both the Soviet and the American leadership. This is one of the best foreign policy/history books that I have ever read. It provides substantial insight into Soviet political life and decision-making. It also gives a view of the American presidents' foreign policy that frequently eludes the American public. Published in 1995, Dobrynin's book, In Confidence, remains a very worthy read today for anyone who wants to know not just WHAT happened during the Cold War but also WHY.

[Tom Maitland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dobrynin could’ve made just as good a writer as he did an ambassador.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this read, but it is not a true history. It is a more or less chronological compilation of Dobrynin's recollections from his time as Soviet Ambassador. Because there is no real narrative linkage to this book, I found that it was easy to pick up and put down again. I dnf'd it since I had to return it to the library, but I will ultimately probably buy a copy of this book and finish it that way where I can leave it on my shelf for a year and pick it up 20-50 pages at a time.

[Clayton Brannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A look at the cold war from the perspective of the Soviet Unions ambassador to the United States for the terms of six US Presidents from Kennedy to Reagan. If you are the least bit interested in foreign affairs during this period then this is a must read. Anatoly Dobrynin was the ultimate insider trusted both by US President and Soviet leaders alike.

[Kurishin · Rating 2 out of 5]

That Dobrynin generally sticks to what he thinks he knows/experienced is positive; however, other major events for which he should have been able to lend valuable insight (how the USSR lost the Cold War/proxy wars) are glossed over. I was left unsatisfied.

[Naeem · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the sections on how the Soviets thought about the Afghan War. For that purpose, this is excellent.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit dated in its conclusion (the end of the Soviet Union and pre-Putin rise of Russian democracy), but an absolutely breathtaking book in its detail.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting perspective on the Cold War