Notes from the Suitcase

Ivan Alexandrovich Serov (1905-1990) - a monumental figure in our recent history, one of the leaders of the NKVD-MVD USSR from 1941-1953, the first chairman of the KGB USSR from 1954-1958, head of the GRU GSh from 1958-1963, Army General, Hero of the Soviet Union, perhaps the most powerful and informed person of his time. By the will of fate, he became involved in the most important events of the 1940s-1960s, being literally one of their creators.
Meanwhile, modern historians depict Serov’s portrait predominantly in dark, negative colors. His real merits and successes are almost unknown to society, and in most studies he appears as a narrow-minded Stalinist executioner, capable only of cruel reprisals.
The diaries published today unveil the scale of Ivan Serov's personality for the first time. The edition is accompanied by comments and notes from the well-known publicist, State Duma deputy, and member of the Central Council of the Russian Military Historical Society Alexander Khinshtein. The uniqueness of the book is enhanced by numerous photos and documents from I. A. Serov’s personal archive.