Robert Miller Editor-in-chief of the famous American publishing house Enigma Books Country: USA

Biography of Robert Miller

Robert Miller, the chief editor of the renowned American publishing house Enigma Books, is a man dedicated to serious historical literature. Born in Italy in 1945, Miller's family moved to America after World War II, first settling in New Haven, Connecticut, and then in Pennsylvania. Miller was the first in his family to pursue a career in publishing.

After spending some time in the United States, Miller's family moved to Morocco, where he became fluent in French. He attended university in Paris, studying French language and literature, as well as international history. Returning to America, Miller began teaching Italian and French languages while developing a deep passion for books. He eventually decided to change his profession and started working for Rizzoli International and later Macmillan.

In 1999, Miller, along with a group of skilled editors, founded Enigma Books. They focused on publishing historical books, often translating them from languages such as French, German, Italian, and Russian. One of their most successful publications was "Hitler's Table Talk," which revealed secrets about Adolf Hitler's true character, plans, and conversations. Since its release, the book has enjoyed tremendous success.

Among the books published by Miller, his favorite is "The Man Behind the Rosenbergs," which explores Russian spies in the United States. Written by Alexander Feklisov, a former member of the Soviet intelligence, the book delves into the infamous Rosenberg case, Soviet intelligence operations in the US, the secrets of creating the Soviet atomic bomb, and other little-known facts about espionage in world history.

Miller's interest in Russian and Soviet espionage stems from his family's immigration from Lithuania, which was then part of the Russian Empire. He has always been curious about Russia and believes that Russians have a deeper understanding of Western culture than vice versa. Miller appreciates programs like Russia Today, as they offer glimpses into real Russian life.

When it comes to the future of US-Russian relations, Miller believes that a new Cold War is possible, triggered by conflicts of interest or misunderstandings. However, he doesn't view Russia as an aggressor and sees Vladimir Putin as a powerful leader with strategic intelligence. Miller believes that Russia, with its vast resources, can shape its own destiny and build relationships with other countries wisely.

As the chief editor of Enigma Books, Miller has the power to select authors and topics for publication. He values authors who provide unique and compelling perspectives, but also considers the commercial viability of the books. Miller acknowledges the limited interest in foreign history among Americans but notes that books on fascism and World War II tend to be more popular. He finds it intriguing that women readers are more interested in the Cold War era, while men gravitate towards World War II.

Currently, Enigma Books is working on several new publications set to be released in the fall and spring. One of the upcoming books will focus on Lenin, providing a different perspective from the Western portrayal of the Russian revolutionary. Miller's father, previously a socialist, changed his opinion of the Soviet Union after witnessing its realities and expressed that life was better under the czar.