Stalin: Paradoxes of Power, 1878-1928, (Paperback)

from stillatim

This is interesting as a book about Stalin, but much more interesting as a formal experiment in biography, because there's not that much about Stalin here. Kotkin's canvas is much broader, and a better title might have been "Russia in the Age of Stalin" or, since that's probably the next volume, ...

from gregdehler

I am not a Soviet expert, but this is not the first book I have read about Stalin or the Bolshevik Revolution. Kotkin's biography greatly enhanced my understanding of both. On Stalin, the biggest takeaway for me was that he ruled and governed (is dictated a proper term in this case?) in the shado...

from dwgc

A very thought-provoking read. Among the questions that came to mind during the course of my reading the book were the following: 1. Reacting to strong neighbors on the borders - If Russia had not been faced with strong dynamic powers on both its eastern and western borders, how would the course ...

from erikmurri

With 2014 being the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I many new history texts on the subject have been published, this includes Stalin. This is the first of a two part series on the life and times of the infamous Communist leader. This book is not an easy read by any stretch of the ima...

from hhornblower

I fascinating read. Mr. Kotkin provides a well rounded appraisal of the development of one of the many monsters of the 20th century. I can't wait to read the follow up book.