Russia expert selected to speak at Artist-Lecture Series

Author Suzanne Massie has written novels recognized by President Ronald Reagan and made a name for herself in the world of literature.

Land of the Firebird, bestseller for more than a year, was Massie’s first book acknowledged by Reagan. Massie wrote the book alternating chapters with colleague Robert Massie. She first met Reagan in 1984 before the president read the book.

“He liked it very much and took the book with him when he went to Geneva to meet Secretary (Mikhail)Gorbachev for the first time in November 1985,” Massie said.

During Reagan’s first term from 1980 to 1984, the Cold War reached its peak. Massie served as an unofficial adviser to Reagan during his entire second term.

“When I met the president in January 1984 historians now consider it the most dangerous period of the Cold War, a time when for the first time in 14 years we had no negotiations with the Soviet Union at all,” Massie said.

Reagan, during his second term, was able to achieve a breakthrough in relations with the Union.

“When he left office, relations were better than they had been since the beginning of the Cold War in 1945. Despite the fall of Communism, we are sliding back into neo-Cold War rhetoric and both sides seem to be bringing out the worst in each other,” Massie said.

Massie said one of her favorite moments with Reagan was during a State Dinner at the White House.

“Being invited to the State Dinner at the White House for Gorbachev on Dec. 8, 1987, and having both the president and secretary general of the Soviet Union standing side by side and both thanking me was a very special moment for me,” Massie said.

Russian art and culture has been a focus of Massie’s studies throughout her career. In her book, Land of the Firebird, she enlightened readers about the culture of the Russians, which had been suppressed and falsified during the Soviet years. In the 35 years since it was first published, Massie said her book changed how people perceive Russia.

“I would not call it improvement rather the restoration of information, freedom of speech and travel for a Russian population for whom these had been denied during the 75 years of the Communist regime,” Massie said, noting that her book was published in Russia in 2000.

Massie said Russians often elect to express themselves through proverbs. Massie taught Reagan the Russian proverb “Doverai, no proverai — trust, but verify” at lunch before the Rekyavik meeting in 1986.

“He loved it and used it for the first time when meeting Gorbachev at that meeting in October 1986 and then used it many times, using it over and over until now it has passed into the American lexicon,” she said.

She said she hopes her remarks at the lecture series will cause students to think differently and examine stereotypes about Russia.

“I have always loved speaking to students, for you, after all are the future,” Massie said.

Tickets are available at the Clark Student Center Information Desk and are free to students, faculty and staff with a valid MSU Campus Card.

Tickets are $20 for the general public and $18 for senior and alumni.