Khrushchev's words and his shoe banging

[John Dunn]

When we last discussed this topic, I seem to remember concluding that the various accounts left a number of areas of uncertainty.  These included: (i) what type of footwear was involved; (ii) whether Krushchev banged the table with it or merely waved it above his head while banging the table with his other hand; (iii) how the offending article came to be in his hand.  On this last point there were three possibilities: that Khrushchev removed one of his shoes while sitting at his desk (held by some to be unlikely if only because of the Soviet leader's generous girth); that the shoe had become dislodged earlier as a result of someone treading on Khrushchev's heel; that it was one of a pair bought that day and brought along, so to speak, in the hand luggage.  I have read nothing to suggest that the incident was not a spontaneous gesture.

It does, I suppose, make a fascinating case study into the nature of historical evidence (well, that's my excuse, anyway).

John Dunn.  

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Nuckols <nuckols at HOTMAIL.COM>
To: SEELANGS at LISTSERV.CUNY.EDU
Date: Mon, 20 Feb 2006 23:27:42 +0000
Subject: Re: [SEELANGS] Khrushchev's words and his shoe banging

Interesting. She says he "took off his shoe." What, then, of the numerous 
claims of a "third shoe" brought into the chamber for a calculated display 
of histrionics?



John Dunn
SMLC (Slavonic Studies)
University of Glasgow
Hetheringon Building
Bute Gardens
Glasgow G12 8RS
U.K.

Tel.: +44 (0)141 330 5591
Fax: +44 (0)141 330 2297
e-mail: J.Dunn at slavonic.arts.gla.ac.uk

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Use your web browser to search the archives, control your subscription
  options, and more.  Visit and bookmark the SEELANGS Web Interface at:
                    http://seelangs.home.comcast.net/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------