Commynes, P. de. Memoirs (Memuary), 1987. In Russian.

Филипп де Коммин
Мемуары. / Перевод, статья и примечания Ю. П. Малинина; Отв. ред. Ю. Л. Бессмертный. (Серия: «Памятники исторической мысли»).
Москва : Издательство «Наука», 1987.
496 с. ; Немного увеличенный формат. Твердый издательский переплет.
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Commynes, Philippe de.
Memoirs. / Translation, article, and notes by Yu. P. Malinin; Editor-in-chief Yu. L. Bessmertny. (Series: "Monuments of Historical Thought").
Moscow : Nauka Publishing House, 1987.
496 pp. ; Slightly enlarged format. Hardcover. In Russian.

This 1987 academic edition presents the first complete Russian translation of the Memoirs by Philippe de Commynes, a work often hailed as the first modern historical and political treatise of the Western world. Commynes, a trusted advisor to both Charles the Bold and Louis XI of France, broke away from the traditional medieval chronicle to offer a pragmatic, analytical account of the birth of the centralized state. The text provides a deep dive into the internal logic of 15th-century European diplomacy, including the arrangement of the complex rivalry between the French crown and the Duchy of Burgundy, the political machinations of the Italian Wars, and the psychological portraits of the era’s most powerful monarchs. Commynes’ narrative is a masterful study of political realism, pre-dating Machiavelli’s The Prince and focusing on the triumph of intellect and strategy over chivalric ideals.
Published in the prestigious "Monuments of Historical Thought" series by the Nauka publishing house, this volume represents the pinnacle of late-Soviet medieval scholarship. The translation, detailed introductory article, and extensive commentaries were prepared by the renowned historian Yuri Malinin, under the general editorship of Yuri Bessmertny. These additions provide crucial context for the transitional period between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, analyzing Commynes’ contribution to the development of historiography and political thought. The slightly enlarged format and high-quality production make this edition an essential resource for historians, philologists, and collectors of primary historical sources. For bibliophiles, this 1987 Moscow imprint is a vital acquisition, documenting the intellectual shift toward modernity through the eyes of a man who stood at the center of European power.