Riddle, Mystery, and Enigma by David Owen

Riddle, Mystery, and Enigma by David Owen

Britain's relationship with the giant on the edge of the continent, Russia, are surprisingly under explored. In a panorama spanning two hundred years, former foreign secretary David Owen reveals how relations between the two countries have ebbed and flowed - and why they have seemingly reached a new low in recent years. When the two countries formed a cautiously pragmatic alliance with the French and fought alongside one another at Navarino in 1827 - a battle that ultimately swung the balance of the Greek War of Independence - it was overwhelmingly the work of one man: the prime minister, George Canning. His death shortly before the battle brought about a volte-face that would see the countries fight on opposing sides in the Crimea and marked a freeze in relations as the countries jostled for power during the decades of the Great Game. It was not until the revolution of 1917 that another statesman, this time Winston Churchill, emerged to have a defining impact on Britain-Russia relations as an avowed opponent of Bolshevism. Yet Churchill never stopped advocating engagement with Russia, be it diplomatic or military. In the Second World War, he recognised earlier than most the necessity of allying with the Soviets against the menace of Nazi Germany - and then, in the post-war context, the threat to freedom posed by the Soviets themselves. Bringing us well into the twenty-first century, Owen chronicles how both countries have responded to years of waning international influence and geopolitical decline, dwarfed by the emergent superpowers of China and the United States. Drawing on both imperial and Soviet history he explains the unique nature of Putin's autocracy and ends with Britain's return to blue water diplomacy. With Owen's characteristic insight and expertise, Riddle, Mystery, Enigma depicts a relationship as often governed by principle as by suspicion, expediency, and outright necessity.

'Any book on Anglo-Russian relations by our finest living foreign secretary would be interesting enough, but one written with verve and insight by so fine an historian as Lord Owen marks a major publishing eventAs well as understanding the distant past, Owen weaves in the near-past - such as his own protest against the Soviet invasion of Hungary of 1956 - and takes us up to the present day with the noble heroism of Alexei Navalny. Thoughtfulness, learning and sound judgement infuse every page.' Andrew Roberts, author: 'Churchill: Walking with Destiny'.

David Owen served as Foreign Secretary under James Callaghan from 1977 until 1979, and later co-founded and went on to lead the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He is the author of books including The Hidden Perspective (2014) and Cabinet's Finest Hour (2016).

SKU	CIN1913368394VG
ISBN 13	9781913368395
ISBN 10	1913368394
Title	Riddle, Mystery, and Enigma
Author	David Owen
Condition	Very Good
Binding Type	Hardback
Publisher	Haus Publishing
Year published	2021-10-25
Number of pages	304
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us