Stalin: Triumph and Tragedy

Book Description

Joseph Stalin plunged Russia into a barbarous nightmare the likes of which the world has never seen, leaving behind a ravaged nation and a legacy of grief, but no answers. Until now. As propaganda chief of the Soviet Red Army and later chairman of the Russian Archives Declassifying Commision, General Dmitri Volkogonov enjoyed unparalleled access to the vast secret archives of the former Soviet Union.

"The first massive indictment in Russia of the dictator's entire record. . . . Volkogonov deserves a place of honor in the ranks of Russian historians."
— Wall Street Journal

For ten years Volkogonov studied military records, party archives, trial documents, and other long-suppressed evidence from the era of the purges. He scoured Stalin's personal records and interviewed members of Stalin's Kremlin staff as well as high-ranking party officials, top army brass, and others who knew the ruthless leader. Offering the first true glimpse of Stalin in action, this is the definitive account of the man, the time, and the tragedy.

Customer Reviews:

Good first post-glasnost Russian bio of Stalin, but a bit "heavy".......2007-07-20

This book is four-star worthy because of Volkogonov's look inside Soviet archives and his insider position. Perhaps it sounds and reads a bit heavy not just because it's written at least somewhat to an academic office but also because it's reflecting Stalin's bureaucratic personality in that way.

One of the best parts of this book was the chapters covering the period between the purges and Stalingrad, where we see just how paralyzed, thinned out and more the post-purge Red Army was.

That said, I do agree with many reviewers that this book was a bit heavy, and more designed for professional use. And that said, I've got books far more footnoted, and one on the history of the Goths that has at least as many names unpronounceable by many modern American lips.

It would be interesting to have a revised edition based on 20 more years of looks at the Soviet archives, and with better editing.

Historical text, not a popular read.......2007-02-19

The book is the detailed biography of Stalin. Not an easy read, it is probably more suited to be a dry academic reference text, rather than bedtime reading. But I enjoyed it.

Starting and finishing it is tedious, the book is just too big. But each chapter may be read separately, depending on what topic interests you most. Assasination of Kirov, Stalin's disposal of colleagues on his way to power, his policies during war, Stalin's last years - these and other topics may be read separately.

No historical book can be absolutely objective, and this one carries opinions and impressions of the author. There is very little personal input, though. And there is no hype that often accompanies bokks on tyrants.

As I said, I like the book. I learned a lot and actually re-read a few chapters.

A Very Concise Biography.......2006-10-14

There are literally hundreds of books on Joseph Stalin to choose from. But if you are looking for a basic entry-level book that is easy to read and for a low price, I would definitely recommend this one.

Although this book is short (just a little over a hundred pages), it contains the most significant information about Stalin's personal and political life; his youth, early adulthood, rise to power, the insanity of his murderous crimes, his own personal paranoia and ultimately, his execrable death. Some of the events that are reported in this book are quite fascinating, in my opinion, which make this book a very interesting read. Stalin's relationship to his comrades and a few family members are also accounted.

From my perspective, this enlightening biography on Stalin is perfect for those who don't have the time or motive to read an encyclopaedia-size book on the former dictator. I think that high school and College students will particularly enjoy reading this book.

Fantastic work!

Too subjective but interesting.......2004-08-31

I agree with a_reader_999 (review elsewhere on this page) that Mr. Volkogonov allows his judgement to be clouded by his own Leninist views, blames everything bad on Stalin, and like a lot of Marxists, still lives in denial. For someone having spent his whole life on something, accepting defeat can be a very giant step indeed, so one tends to be sympathetic, but it does not make for quality objective history writing. But minus the diatribes and the nitpicking, this work provides a lot of details for the history buff, and is also quite interesting reading.

the best book on Stalin, a timepiece, frame it.......2003-05-16

I bought this book first when I was in Russia. I bought it in the original Russian. I had already read Volkogonovs study of Lenin and Trotsky and his book 'Autopsy of the Soviet empire'. THis, though, is the seminal work of a man who passed far to quickly from our view. He had yearned to detail the crimes of Stalin, the secrets also. This grand book details many obscure facts not found in other books. DIsjointed writing,as anyone fmailiar with VOlkogonov knows, this book nevertheless is very readable. Many critisize this saying it was not written by a true historian, its not organized, it smacks of a freshmens writing, in that it does not develop a topic thouroughly before going on to something else. It jumps around. THis is all true. Mr. Volkogonov was not a writer by trade. He was a military bureacrat who yearned to breeth free and compiled this information, independent of the west, for years before publishing his account after the fall of the Soviet empire. If we view it that way this book is unique, it is a testimony of a man who witnessed the evils of the Soviet system, who knew personally what Stalin had done and wanted to expose it. He could weight the good and the bad. This book is invaluable as history. It is by a Russian writing about the failings of his own country, in its formative period nonetheless. A must have and a must read. A landmark in Soviet studies.

Stalin's War: Tragedy and Triumph, 1941-1945

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Fairly Standard Hoyt
Bizarre yet charming
A profoundly informative and highly recommended history

Stalin's War: Tragedy and Triumph, 1941-1945
Edwin P. Hoyt
Manufacturer: Cooper Square Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0815410328

Book Description

Edwin Hoyt's thoroughly researched tome is the first ever to chronicle the Soviet-German war as seen through Stalin's eyes.

Customer Reviews:

Fairly Standard Hoyt.......2004-10-13

This is not a history of the Russo-German War but rather speculation on what Stalin and his cronies may have thought and said. Many conversations are given as direct quotes, but without attribution. When the author does appeal to authority to support his conclusions, that authority is often one of his own books! But this is not intended to be a scholarly work, just an enjoyable, easy read, which it is. One lack I noticed is that there is not a single map included in the book. But then again, the book is not really about what is going on on the ground (though major campaigns are described), but what is going on in Stalin's mind. Offsetting the lack of maps is the inclusion of many sidebars, some a couple of pages long, that I often found more interesting and informative than the text itself. Good for Hoyt fans.

Bizarre yet charming.......2003-06-24

"Stalin's War" is a strange yet in the end charming book about the Soviet Union during WW2. This book is an easy read and there aren't any pesky notes to bog down the reader. Its kind of like if your crazy war-buff neighbor down the street told you his version of what Stalin was thinking during WW2. As the book goes on you can see the conflict between hero-worship and demonization coming to life in the pages. In the end I think this book is actually fairer than most current popular history because try as he might to avoid it the triumph and might of Stalin and the Red Army can't help but show through. Stalin bravely stayed in Moscow when the Germans were 30 miles away- we're reminded over and over. Stalin outfoxed the "naive" Americans and the conniving Churchill over and over again. We learn what the dead John Reed would have thought of Stalin from his crypt in the Kremlin wall. In the end this book can't help itself and the logic of Stalin's war is revealed- anyone who thinks that the Americans were going to enter Berlin first is delusional; does anyone really think we would have gone up against the Red Army with its blood up? Does anyone really think Stalin or any other Russian leader could have allowed a "free" eastern Europe after the impotence of Poland and the Czechs and the collaborationist hijinks of the Hungarians, Rumanians and Bulgarians? Thankfully in this whole book there is but one reference to R. Conquest the propagandist refering to Stalin's "dark and deadly" nature. In a way the nature of the Cold War and its beginnings are impressionistically sketched but the feel of those times seems to come through better than in many mainstream "histories" out there. Strange and maybe even true!

A profoundly informative and highly recommended history.......2003-04-08

Stalin's War: Tragedy And Triumph 1941-1945 by military historian and author Edwin P. Hoyt is a resolute examination of Communist dictator Josef Stalin's role in World War II, ranging from his ill-advised nonaggression pact with Hitler; to the deadly cost of the war itself; to the postwar creation of Communist puppet governments in Eastern Europe. An inset section of black-and-white photographs enhances this profoundly informative and highly recommended history of Stalin's influence in the World War II European Theatre and Post-War European political developments.

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Stalin: Triumph and Tragedy
Dmitri Volkogonov
Manufacturer: Grove Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OLURYE

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

A History of Private Life, Volume II, Revelations of the Medieval World (History of Private Life)

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Moving on to the Middle Ages
very very good read
A Good Idea ...but drowned in florid speach.
A Superior History

A History of Private Life, Volume II, Revelations of the Medieval World (History of Private Life)

Manufacturer: Belknap Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0674400011

Customer Reviews:

Moving on to the Middle Ages.......2004-12-10

This is vol. 2 of the epic, five volume set. Normally, I can see how a reader might shy away from the prospect of reading five volumes on a single subject (any subject). However, given the time span covered and the all encompassing nature of the topic, private life, this is one five volume "history of" set that is worth the time invested.

In volume two we move to the late middle ages. Gone is the semi-alien world of Rome, now we are emerging into the more familiar middle ages of western europe.

Duby;s introduction discusses the different meaning of "public" and "private" power in the Middle Ages. I'm afraid the discussion was a tad techinical for me on the first read, but the theme seems to be the gradual emergence of the state (as supposed to the family) as the center of power.

The second chapter discusses the world of feudal (northern) france and pre-renasissance tuscan italy. Both segments are, to my mind, what this series is all about. I found the section on tuscan italy to overlap nicely with my reading about the Medici family. The differentness between our world and theirs is well apparent. For example, the Tuscan Italians(not that they would call themselves that), kept their unmarried women locked up in their homes. the author repeatedly compares this world to the modern muslim world to give the reader a sense of what he is talking about.

The section on "Exploring Literature" is a yawner, up there with the chapter on "Roman Architecure in Africa" from the first book.

This book ends with a hint of the modern period which lies ahead, but all in all it is content to dwell in the midevial times and is careful not to jump the gun on the topic of modernity. I appreciated that.

Next up, volume three!

very very good read.......2002-05-20

This is again an extremely full meal as a reading experience, though because of the uniformity of the culture - it does not involve such a fundamental transition as that from paganism to Christianity - it is somewhat less rich than the first volume though equally massive.

Nonetheless, there are huge changes going on: at the start of the Gothic era, there was an explosion of availability of materials on private life. Suddenly there were memoires, fiction, more realistic painted portraits (capturing real character and not just stylized), and sturdier surviving architecture, all of which offer a far more accurate picture of the times than was available during the dark ages. Piecing all of this together is utterly fascinating, as the reader is treated to detailed analyses of the costumes, customs, eating habits, and concerns that are reflected in them. You can get a wonderful idea about the texture of everyday life, though more from the standpoint of aristocrats than more common people.

Unfortunately, due to the overall goal of the writing on private life, the reasons behind these bigger changes are scarcely mentioned and hence little analyzed. While my disappointment of this reflects my own ignorance of the history of the period, it might also serve as a warning to non-specialists who want to know more. THe only chapter I found dull was a very very long one on the common themes of literary sources.

That being said, the book covers written sources, archaeology, and art extremely well: they seem to have been converging on the emergence of the "individual" that occurred just prior to the Renaissance. It is an amazingly interesting story. Indeed, there are so many strands in all of this that I found myself in awe of a period of history that I heretofore saw as far more uniform, as a precursor to the modern era or a disappointing sequel to the astonishing unity and sophistication of the classical era.

Recommended.

A Good Idea ...but drowned in florid speach........2002-05-02

This book is a good idea. But there is room for litterature that can tell the same in a more lively way with far fewer words. ...or can tell four time as much with the same number of pages. - The language of most of the authors is such that you wonder WHY they have chocen to say what they attempt to tell in such flowery ways. After a paragraph it's hard to remember "What did he try to tell me now." It's easier to think: "Yes. I can see that you have learnt a hole lot of words, and adjevtives in particular." - I have found litterature about the same topic, put in a different language that manage to do this far better. In fact I've found public reports that with regards to the ability to convey a thought is far more readable.

A Superior History.......2000-01-03

This book is a superior history of life in the middle ages. Duby's research is exhaustive and all sorts of interesting tidbits about medieval life are scattered through the book. Also there is a profusion of illustrations from the period which help clarify the social history. From castle architecture to peasant clothing, this book covers it all. I highly recommend it for readers interested in the middle ages.

How Barisat Bellowed: Folklore, Humor, and Iconography in the Jewish Apocalypses and the Apocalypse of John (The Dead Sea Scrolls & Christian Origins Library, Vol. 3)

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How Barisat Bellowed: Folklore, Humor, and Iconography in the Jewish Apocalypses and the Apocalypse of John (The Dead Sea Scrolls & Christian Origins Library, Vol. 3)
James H. Charlesworth
Manufacturer: D. & F. Scott Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0941037649

Book Description

Do you think that a funny story is more important than shelter or sex? Many experts do. Humor and storytelling are so important to the human psyche that they even penetrate literary works dealing with serious subjects. This book examines the origin of Jewish apocalyptic literature—the literature of groups who were convinced that the End was near. As we approach a new millennium, interest in apocalyptic literature is on the increase. For Christians, this should not be a temporary fad. Since Christianity began as an apocalyptic movement within Judaism, the understanding of ancient apocalypses is important to the understanding of Early Christianity.

Prof. Charlesworth points out that many stories in Jewish apocalyptic literature evolved from conversations around the campfire, the hearth, or anywhere people would customarily gather to relax and talk. Folklore and humor—and the physical relaxation and psychological release from laughing—served as a catharsis from physical labors and political oppression. Another influence on these stories was the prevalence in that ancient culture of images of winged beasts and demons, which became models for the beasts and demons in the stories.

The only way to understand early Jewish and Christian apocalypticism is to base our reflections on the content and setting of the texts, rather than on preconceived notions of what they might have to say about the beginning of the third millennium. We should listen to what the ancients had to say to their own contemporaries. When we do, we may hear a voice from above.

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A History of Private Life, Volume II: Revelations of the Medieval World

Manufacturer: Belknap of Harvard University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KKV0J0

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A History of Private Life Vol. 2 Revelations of the Medieval World
Georges editor Duby
Manufacturer: Belknapp Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000LC6UI8

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A History of Private Life - II Revelations of the Medieval World
Philippe, and Duby, Georges Aries
Manufacturer: Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1988
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NXI4C0

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A History of Private Life : Revelations of the Medieval World.

Manufacturer: Belknap/Harvard.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000I9PYWM

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A HISTORY OF PRIVATE LIFE = REVELATIONS OF THE MEDIEVAL WORLD - VOLUME II
ARIES PHILIPPE & GEORGES DUBY
Manufacturer: HARVARD UNIVERSITY PRESS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000KS5KAW

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Incredibly comprehensive with a lot of visual aids

A HISTORY OF PRIVATE LIFE
Georges, Ed. Duby
Manufacturer: The Belknapp Press Harvard University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000G6X0A0

Product Description

A noted social history of the development of private life in Western Europe from the 11th through the 15th centuries.

Customer Reviews:

Incredibly comprehensive with a lot of visual aids.......2006-06-27

I am a huge medieval wannabe-buff. I am constantly reading new books about the middle ages. Along with "The Year 1000" and "1215: The Year of Magna Carta", this is one of the best purchases I have made this year.

The translation is from scholarly French, so every once in a while there may be an untranslatable term thrown in, and unfortunately, I do not speak French -- so you kinda have to pass those things up. The translator has amazing vocabulary skills, so even some of the English words might have you reaching for a dictionary. However, the rich research this book shares is worth the minor frustrations.

The book, written by a handful of French scholars who reference each other's work, devotes a chapter to different social classes/standings in medieval France, e.g. the life of the monastery, the life of the aristocracy, the life of the laborer, etc. These historians do an excellent job of making parallels and citing differences.

My favorite part is the fact that just about every page has some type of visual reference: a painting, a sculpture, a blueprint, a manuscript. This really guides the learning along well.

I would not be surprised if this book became an academic standard in universities. It really is that good. But it is also interesting enough for the average history lover to appreciate.

A History of Private Life Revelations of the Medieval World

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A History of Private Life Revelations of the Medieval World
Goldhammer
Manufacturer: Belknap Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000US5Y3U

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