Sir Fitzroy Maclean, distinguished diplomat and politician, is one of the great connoisseurs of the Soviet Union. In this book the author presents his own account of the Soviet Union, including its history, its contrasts and contradictions, its changing face and future prospects, with particular emphasis on the many different nationalities. Recent developments in the Baltic states, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Moldavia and the Ukraine give this aspect of the book a topical interest. The appendix provides up-to-date factual information on the 15 Soviet Republics and 30 of the larger national groups.