In original, the book is aptly titled "Yazyk moi – drug moi" (literally, "my tongue is my friend"), which is a reference to the Russian proverb "My tongue is my enemy". Indeed, when you are a language mediator between some of the most powerful nations in the world, a lot depends on your ability to communicate or withhold all types of meanings! A preface by the Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor Elena Tonchu, will give you even a better idea of how important Mr. Sukhodrev's work was:

"During their negotiations with Nixon, Kennedy, Carter, Nasser, Indira Gandhi and many other prominent political figures of the world, he was the one who personified the intelligence, culture and diplomatic flexibility of the Soviet leaders. This last quality was especially important for the "chief interpreter of the country", since at that times (for example, in the era of the Cold War, days of the Caribbean crisis, etc.) not only the resolution of many pressing international issues, but world peace as well would depend on what exactly and in what context was said by political leaders.

The author offers the reader to see the mighty of his era from a close personal distance, as he saw them at that time. He speaks about the kind of people they were, about their strengths and weaknesses, their habits, the impression they made, their behavior – not only in official settings, but also in informal situations, about what they sais behind the scenes and what set them apart from us, mere mortals."