Stalin: A Biography

Robert Service

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Drawing on a wealth of unexplored material - available for the first time since the collapse of the former Soviet Union - Robert Service's biography of Stalin is the most authoritative yet published. It concentrates not simply on Stalin as dedicated bureaucrat or serial political killer, but on a fuller assessment of his formative interactions in Georgia, his youthful revolutionary activism, his relationship with Lenin, with his family, and with his party members.

'This is effectively the first full biography since perestroika to encompass the economic, political, diplomatic, military, administrative and, above all, ideological dimensions, as well as the personal aspects of Stalin's colossal life . . . Gritty and unshowy, but enlightened by Service's compelling characterisation, magisterial analysis and dry wit, this outstanding biography of lightly worn authority, wide research and superb intuition will be read for decades' Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of STALIN: The Court of the Red Tsar Sunday Times

What will you learn from this book

  1. Rise to Power: The biography traces Stalin's rise from relatively humble beginnings to become the undisputed leader of the Soviet Union, highlighting his political cunning and ruthlessness in consolidating power.

  2. Totalitarian Regime: Service examines Stalin's establishment of a totalitarian regime characterized by repression, censorship, and state-sponsored terror, which allowed him to maintain control over Soviet society and eliminate perceived threats.

  3. Collectivization and Industrialization: Stalin's policies of rapid industrialization and collectivization of agriculture, while contributing to economic growth, resulted in widespread hardship, famine, and loss of life among the Soviet population.

  4. Great Purges: The book delves into Stalin's "Great Purges" of the 1930s, during which he orchestrated the arrest, imprisonment, and execution of millions of perceived enemies of the state, including party officials, intellectuals, and military leaders.

  5. Cult of Personality: Stalin cultivated a cult of personality around himself, promoting his image as a heroic leader and infallible figure, while suppressing dissent and promoting unquestioning loyalty to his rule.

  6. World War II: Service analyzes Stalin's role in World War II, including the Soviet Union's alliance with the Allies and Stalin's leadership during key battles such as Stalingrad, which played a decisive role in the outcome of the war.

  7. Post-War Reconstruction: The biography examines Stalin's efforts to rebuild the Soviet Union in the aftermath of World War II, including the imposition of Soviet control over Eastern Europe and the establishment of communist regimes in satellite states.

  8. Cold War Era: Stalin's confrontational stance towards the West, including the onset of the Cold War, is explored, as well as his efforts to expand Soviet influence globally through support for communist movements and proxy conflicts.

  9. Personality and Paranoia: Service delves into Stalin's personality traits, including his paranoia, vindictiveness, and manipulation of those around him, shedding light on the psychological factors that shaped his rule.

  10. Legacy: Despite Stalin's death in 1953, his legacy continued to shape Soviet and Russian politics for decades to come, leaving a lasting impact on the trajectory of the Soviet Union and the world at large.

Language English
ISBN-10 0330518372
ISBN-13 9780330518376
No of pages 715
Font Size Medium
Book Publisher PAN
Published Date 16 Apr 2010

About Author

Author : Robert Service

2 Books

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