Joseph Stalin is a figure etched in our minds when we think of Totalitarianism. His reign over several decades left millions dead and imprisoned. His calculated approach to gaining power is both fascinating and scary. In this book, the author explains how his childhood experiences shaped how he became the infamous Stalin we know, who ruled with an iron fist.
At the heels of the Russian Revolution, Lenin rose to power as the leader of a new type of government, where he pledged that everything would be communal. Stalin and Trotsky were leaders within his government. When Lenin died, Stalin and Trotsky fought to be his successor. While Trotsky was more intelligent of the two, he was no match for Stalin's political savvy. Stalin had him eliminated, which solidified his hold over the Russian people.
This political savvy was instrumental to his defeat as well as alliances with other authoritarian regimes. It helped him defeat Hitler's invasions of the Soviet Union.
The author's detailed and well-researched account gives you a deep dive into Stalin as a person, leadership style, and how he was able to secure his hold over the Russian people even after his death.
This book is an excellent addition for fans of Russian politics, World War II, and the psychology of totalitarian governments.