Pocketbook format measuring 5" x 8", paperback, 109 pp. Published by GOSPOLITIZDAT (Russian acronym for "State Publishers of Political Literature"), Russian text. The book is a verbatim transcript of Malenkov's speech at the XIX Congress of the VKP(b), his report to the Congress about the accomplishments of the Central Committee of the Party.

In very good condition. The paper cover shows mild wear to the spine and the corners, and mild soiling but no stains. The textblock is well preserved, showing minimal age toning along the edges of the pages, and very mild warping of parts of several of the last pages due to water exposure. None of the wear is very obvious or detractive. The book looks thoroughly studied as evidenced by multiple underlinings in pencil throughout the text.

Georgy Malenkov (Георгий Максимилианович Маленков, 1901 - 1988) was a prominent Soviet politician and Communist Party functionary whom Stalin trusted to organize and keep the records of about two million members of the Communist Party. In 1939, Malenkov was appointed Head of the Cadres Directorate of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Keeping in mind Stalin's famous adage "Cadres decide everything", it becomes clear that Malenkov's loyalty to Stalin was absolute. Malenkov proved his loyalty again and again during the Great Purge of the 1930s.

He was one of very few early Bolshevik leaders who not only survived the purges but prospered during the Stalin's reign. For much of WW2, he was responsible for mass production of combat aircraft and after the war, was instrumental in pushing forward the Soviet nuclear and missile programs. He was a willing ally of Stalin in breaking up an alleged conspiracy within the Leningrad Communist Party organization and represented the technocrat, pragmatic wing of the party in confronting the rigid ideologue faction. The heir apparent in the last years of Stalin's reign, Malenkov indeed ascended to the leadership of both the Soviet Government and the Party immediately after the dictator's death in March 1953. Within months however, Malenkov was edged out of the Party chairmanship by the wily Nikita Khrushchev and by 1955, was ousted from the top post in the government as well. Two years later, he was one of the key figures in the abortive coup attempt against Khrushchev and as a result, was sent into a virtual exile and eventually expelled from the Communist Party. He was allowed to return to Moscow only many years later and lived out the remaining years of his life in complete obscurity. His portraits, publications, any mention of his name was swept under the Soviet political rug, so that this book is quite a rarity.

Malenkov's speech at the XIX Congress was a masterpiece of Orwellian doublespeak of the early Cold War period, a fascinating read that will be an uncommon and valuable addition to a collection of Soviet political literature.

Please note that the pen in our photo is for size reference.