View from the U.N.

Never in the history of the United Nations did it face a moment graver responsibility and grimmer challenge" wrote U Thant on the Cuban Missile crisis. This and sometimes bloody events that occurred the troubled decade between 1961 and 1971 are documented in meticulous detail in his personal memoirs. As Secretary General to the United Nations, U Thant was afforded a unique vantage point around the negotiating tables of the world. Among the most stirring of his memoirs is the account of the background and events that led to the withdrawal of UN forces from Sinai and Gaza, followed by the Six Day War. His long association and personal involvement with the Israeli Arab conflict provide deep and sympathetic understanding for all concerned.

These memoirs are an objective, impartial historical record, interspersed with passages of colour and human interest; there are personal accounts of private conversations with heads of state, leading thinkers and personalities such as Nasser, Kruschev, Kennedy, Anatoli Dobrynin, Ralph Bunche and many others.

U Thant defined the position and responsibilities of the Secretary General as to 'build bridges between governments and peoples', and stressed the need to develop new policies more closely related to our post-atomic age. Above all, in these his memoirs, he is seen as sincere man, passionately devoted to the cause of world peace.

This book is an objective and informative work, and provides authoritative source material that will make required reading for all students of political history.