Between Two Millstones, Book 2: Exile in America, 1978-1994

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's memoirs reflect his years in the West after his forced exile from the USSR. He describes his time in rural Vermont as idyllic, where he had the freedom to work, spend time with his family, and wage a war of ideas against the Soviet Union. The book concludes in 1994, as Solzhenitsyn bids farewell to the West and prepares to return home with his wife, Natalia.

Format: Hardback
Length: 584 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2020
Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press

In his literary memoirs, Nobel Prize-winner Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn vividly portrays his idyllic time in rural Vermont, where he found freedom to work, cherish family moments, and engage in a intellectual battle against the Soviet Union and other detractors from afar. Nestled in his tranquil retreat, the Nobel laureate discovered a profound sense of happiness in the uninterrupted pursuit of his work.

This captivating account concludes Nobel Prize-winner Aleksandr Solzhenitsyns literary memoirs of his years in the West after his forced exile from the USSR following the publication of "The Gulag Archipelago." The book reflects both the pain of separation from his Russian homeland and the chasm of miscomprehension between him and Western opinion makers. In "Between Two Millstones," Solzhenitsyn likens his position to that of a grain that becomes lodged between two massive stones, each grinding away—the Soviet Communist power with its propaganda machine on the one hand and the Western establishment with its mainstream media on the other.

Book 2 picks up the story of Solzhenitsyns remarkable life after the raucous publicity over his 1978 Harvard Address has died down. The author parries attacks from the Soviet state (and its many fellow-travelers in the Western press) as well as from recent émigrés who, according to Solzhenitsyn, defame Russian culture, history, and religion. He shares his unvarnished view of several infamous episodes, such as a sabotaged meeting with Ronald Reagan, aborted Senate hearings regarding Radio Liberty, and Gorbachevs protracted refusal to allow "The Gulag Archipelago" to be published back home. There is also a captivating chapter detailing his trips to Japan, Taiwan, and Great Britain, including meetings with Margaret Thatcher and Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

Meanwhile, the central themes of Book 1 continue to unfold. Solzhenitsyn delves into the devastating consequences of Soviet communism, shedding light on the plight of the millions who suffered under the regime's oppressive policies. He also explores the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by individuals who stood up against the regime, risking their lives and freedom to speak truth to power.

Through his memoirs, Solzhenitsyn not only provides a personal account of his life but also offers a profound reflection on the nature of human freedom, the power of ideas, and the enduring legacy of the Soviet Union. His writing is a testament to the human spirit power to overcome adversity, resist oppression, and seek truth and justice in the face of adversity.

Weight: 992g
Dimension: 168 x 243 x 49 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780268109004