Moscow: IV RAS Publ., 2008, 160 p.

The year 1937 swept across the Mongolian land like a ferocious hurricane: more than two tens of thousands of people were subjected to severe repression. For a country with a population of just over 700,000, this was a significant blow. Prominent political figures, military personnel, lamas, and pastoralists (Arats) suffered for no reason. This was the result of an acute internal struggle for power, for determining the way and means of social development of the country, ensuring its independence. The course of the struggle was greatly influenced by the difficult political situation in the Soviet Union at that time, as well as the contradictory role of the Comintern and the Central Committee of the CPSU(b) in relations with Mongolia.

The tragic victim of this struggle was P. Genden , a bright personality, a major state and political figure of Mongolia in the 1920s and 1930s. In the scientific literature, his role in the history of the country was covered in different ways: he was presented either as an "enemy" of his people, associated with

Japanese intelligence, or as a minor figure. It is only in the last perestroika period that serious studies are increasingly appearing in Mongolia, which attempt to give a full-blooded portrait of Genden, free from opportunistic views.

A great contribution to the study and determination of the true personality of P. Genden, his place and role in the history of Mongolia was the peer-reviewed work of S. K. Roshchin. It is most naturally perceived as a logical continuation of his fundamental works: "Political History of Mongolia (1921-1940) "(Moscow, 1999) and " Marshal of Mongolia Kh. Choibalsan" (Moscow, 2005).

Based on the analysis of extensive archival materials, scientific and popular science literature in Mongolian, Russian and English, which contain information about the personality and state activities of P. Genden, about various aspects of that historical era in the history of Mongolia, when he lived and worked, S. K. Roshchin created an interesting and truthful work. he appears to the reader exactly as he was in real life: a nugget who came out of the Arat lowlands, with an unbreakable will and character of a courageous fighter for the interests of his people, direct and honest in everything: in relations with the people around him, in the struggle for his ideals. And the ideals were prompted by life itself: protection of the interests of the Arats, freedom and independence of the country (legally it remained part of China). Far from high theoretical and political schemes and positions, because he did not have basic knowledge, he was perfectly familiar with the life of his people, their needs and requirements. Mongolia from the time of P. Genden's active political activity was becoming more and more deeply involved in the most acute internal contradictions and was increasingly experiencing powerful pressure from external forces.

The author shows a tough struggle between different political trends in Mongolia. Both the "left" and the "right" are trying to influence Genden. But especially strong on the political life of the country was the powerful pressure of external forces - the Comintern and the Central Committee of the CPSU (b). On the one hand, there is no doubt that Moscow's influence had a positive beginning. Mongolia needed help - economic, political, and military. And she was getting it. The Soviet Union supported Mongolia to the best of its abilities, which were understandably limited. But, on the other hand, this influence was not free from negative aspects. One of the main reasons for this was that the representatives of the Comintern and the Central Committee of the CPSU(b) had little knowledge of Mongolia. Their information to Moscow, on which the Mongolian policy of the Soviet leadership was based, was contradictory, and often incompatible with the interests of the Mongolian people. The author cites, in particular, the statement of the Chairman of the Central Committee of the MPRP Ts. Dambadorj, who after a trip to the USSR stated: "Moscow has a muddled view of our country... We are not well known and poorly informed. When they say only one untruth about us, only bad things, then we get a very unimportant aftertaste from Moscow... " (p. 30).

By the way, half a century later, the country's leader Yu expressed his concern about the degree of awareness of the Soviet Union's leadership about Mongolia. Tsedenbal in a confidential conversation with the Soviet representative. At all stages of Soviet-Mongolian cooperation, this lack was reflected to one degree or another in the relations between the two countries.

Often, the Comintern and the leaders of the Central Committee of the CPSU(b) gave direct instructions to Ulaanbaatar on personnel issues, on solving the most important political issues of the country's life (for example, on the attitude to the fatherland). Mongolian politicians treated these instructions and defined their activities depending on the level of their knowledge and intelligence, but mainly as a necessary, mandatory task. However, P. Genden, as the author points out, perceived them not blindly, automatically, but having his own opinion, his own position on each issue. This did not please many of his entourage, especially representatives of Moscow. P. Genden "had all the makings of a leader, had an imperious, decisive, independent character. A simple, good-natured, original person, with his own weaknesses (he was quick-tempered, hot-headed, not restrained), he had many friends and supporters, he was well known in Khudon, where he was considered his own " (p. 44).

The bright pages of the book are devoted to P. Genden's meetings and conversations with I. V. Stalin, V. M. Molotov and other high-ranking leaders, on which he held himself with dignity, did not lose his face, and constantly remembered that he was the head of the government of a proud country that continued its harsh struggle for independence. The author rightly notes that, perhaps, P. Genden lacked flexibility, diplomatic resourcefulness, because of which he missed the necessary opportunities for him, lost something, but remained true to himself, to his principles, to be loyal to the interests of his people. The Soviet leaders, although they did not approve of some, in their opinion, important moments in P. Genden's political activity, still saw in him a worthy figure who aroused their recognition and respect.

Based on a wealth of factual material, S. K. Roshchin shows P. Genden as an ardent supporter of friendly relations with the Soviet Union, who placed the freedom and independence of his homeland in direct dependence on friendship with the Soviet people. He was well aware that Mongolia, which had been isolated internationally for centuries, was finally entering the road leading to the wider world. P. Genden also understood that he, a simple Arat, owed his rise to Moscow. And the same great Moscow, by a combination of tragic circumstances, becomes the place where he, viciously slandered, dies.

In 1936, P. Genden, who had been dismissed from the posts of Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs for health reasons (the real reason was also political), was invited to the Soviet Union for rest and medical treatment. After about a year of tormenting and mysterious stay in the Soviet Union in 1937, he is subjected to gratuitous repression. "His death," writes S. K. Roshchin, " is a grave tragedy that cannot be forgotten. It is sad to know that it happened in our country" (p. 144). "Let this work," he notes, "be our humble tribute to his bright memory" (p. 6).

S. K. Roshchin's monograph is a worthy contribution to Russian Mongolian studies. This is a serious scientific work that enriches our understanding of the history of friendly Mongolia.

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