The second book of memoirs by A. A. Gromyko contains extensive and multifaceted life material. The author reflects on the problems of war and peace, on the “American direction” of Soviet foreign policy, on diplomatic art, and on meetings with outstanding cultural masters. For the second edition, new chapters have been written - about Beria, Vyshinsky, Brezhnev, about the 20th Congress of the CPSU, material has been expanded on the significance of the 27th Party Congress and the course it took for the restructuring and democratization of Soviet society. The author's judgments and assessments in many cases are of a personal nature.