Description
Book Synopsis: The most authoritative and engrossing biography of the notorious dictator ever written, winner of the 2016 PROSE Award for Biography & Autobiography
“Enthralling, brilliant, and groundbreaking, this book confirms Khlevniuk as probably the greatest living expert on Stalin. Essential reading.”—Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of Stalin: the Court of the Red Tsar
Josef Stalin exercised supreme power in the Soviet Union from 1929 until his death in 1953. During that quarter-century, by Oleg Khlevniuk’s estimate, he caused the imprisonment and execution of no fewer than a million Soviet citizens per year. Millions more were victims of famine directly resulting from Stalin's policies. What drove him toward such ruthlessness? This essential biography, by the author most deeply familiar with the vast archives of the Soviet era, offers an unprecedented, fine-grained portrait of Stalin the man and dictator. Without mythologizing Stalin as either benevolent or an evil genius, Khlevniuk resolves numerous controversies about specific events in the dictator’s life while assembling many hundreds of previously unknown letters, memos, reports, and diaries into a comprehensive, compelling narrative of a life that altered the course of world history.
In brief, revealing prologues to each chapter, Khlevniuk takes his reader into Stalin’s favorite dacha, where the innermost circle of Soviet leadership gathered as their vozhd lay dying. Chronological chapters then illuminate major themes: Stalin’s childhood, his involvement in the Revolution and the early Bolshevik government under Lenin, his assumption of undivided power and mandate for industrialization and collectivization, the Terror, World War II, and the postwar period. At the book’s conclusion, the author presents a cogent warning against nostalgia for the Stalinist era.
Details
Step into the depths of history with the most authoritative and engrossing biography of Stalin ever written. Winner of the prestigious 2016 PROSE Award for Biography & Autobiography, this groundbreaking book by Oleg Khlevniuk will captivate you from page one. Discover the man behind the dictator, with unprecedented insights and a fine-grained portrait that unravels the mysteries of Stalin's ruthless reign. Don't miss out on essential reading that confirms Khlevniuk as the greatest living expert on Stalin.
Dive deep into the turbulent world of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin, as Oleg Khlevniuk reveals the chilling truth behind his quarter-century rule of supreme power. Learn about the millions of lives impacted by Stalin's iron fist, as Khlevniuk sheds light on the imprisonment, executions, and famine caused by his policies. Explore the driving forces that led Stalin to unprecedented ruthlessness, with a narrative that dispels myths and presents a compelling account of a man who altered the course of world history.
Embark on a riveting journey through Stalin's life, from his childhood to the heights of power as the leader of the Soviet Union. Uncover the secrets of Stalin's favorite dacha, where the inner circle of Soviet leadership gathered in his final days. Khlevniuk's meticulous research brings to light previously unknown letters, memos, reports, and diaries that paint a comprehensive picture of a dictator whose legacy continues to shape our world. Brace yourself for a gripping read that offers unparalleled insights into one of the most infamous figures in history.
Are you ready to unravel the enigma of Josef Stalin and uncover the truth behind his reign of terror? Don't miss out on this essential biography that offers a fresh perspective on a pivotal era in world history. Explore the complexities of Stalin's life and legacy with Oleg Khlevniuk's masterful narrative that will leave you spellbound. Order your copy now and journey into the heart of darkness that defined an era.
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