Stalin
(Edvard Radzinsky)
This book is a new biography of Joseph Stalin, one of the greatest leaders and tyrants of the twentieth century. Its importance and uniqueness is in the new information which was available to its author, some of Russia's secret archives to which access was, until recently, denied. These archives solve several mysteries regarding the life of Stalin and the events in which he played a part, and support conjectures regarding several events, such as the secret meeting between Stalin and Hitler. The book is divided into three sections, reflecting Stalin's life as a young boy, an active revolutionary and finally as a high ranking member of the Communist Party. A man unhindered by any moral limitations, he used and supported those which would serve his purpose only to discard them once they were no longer of use. Among these was Lenin himself, whom Stalin worshiped for years but shut out of the party once Lenin stood in his way. Stalin was a very secretive persona, to the degree that he even had his date of birth changed from the actual date. This is very reflective of all the information regarding his life, actions and the motives behind them. The author, a famous Russian play-write, allows himself therefore to deviate from classical interpretations of several events, and will sometimes reject an opposing theory simply based on his understanding of Stalin's character. One such case is the fact that Stalin seems to have been taken by surprise by the German betrayal during WWII, usually attributed as a terrible blunder on Stalin's part. The author, who is unwilling to accept that Stalin would trust anyone - let alone Hitler - presents his own interpretation for these events. Though the beginning is a bit tedious, it is a great read, and recommended highly.
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