I have no idea about Litvinov, but what exactly is the definition of an "Old Bolshevik"? Stalin counts as an Old Bolshie, doesn't he?
Molotov -- "the hammer." The macho nature of these names the Bolsheviks gave themselves is really striking. The sound like pro wrestlers. "Man of Stone." "Man of Steel." Though supposedly Kaganovich's original pseudonym was actually something like "The Kosher Man," which certainly breaks with the mold. (I could look this up if I really wanted to.) Stalin used to mock Molotov by calling him "Molotstein." In Montefiore's book, the group around Stalin really do come across like a bunch of murderous frat boys. Beria used to stick tomatoes into Mikoyan's pockets at parties and squish them. Ha, ha. Eventually Mikoyan had to start bringing an extra suit.
--- Paul <paul_ at igc.org> wrote:
>
> No one clearly explained to me, if this was so, how
> Litvinov survived (he
> was an "Old Bolshevik"; they mentioned some links
> with Alexandra Kollentai
> and, I gather those were the only 2 "Old Bolsheviks"
> to have lived). I
> haven't been in a position to confirm any of the
> Litvinov stories but I
> suspect it might prove to be an profitable line of
> archival research.
>
> Paul
>
===== Nu, zayats, pogodi!
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