Product Description

Robert Conquest is the foremost authority on the Stalinist period of Soviet history. The culmination of a lifetime's work, this book is a masterly portrait of a man who 'perhaps more than any other determined the course of the twentieth century'. Conquest focuses on Stalin's terrifying character, perhaps the closest to a monster that humankind has ever produced. Stalin emerges as a man 'unnatural' and 'unreal', who gave his personal authority to the slaughter of millions, but whose vanity demanded their adulation. Most surprisingly, Conquest demonstrates that Stalin's astounding power was not the reward of ability; it was the creation of a man whose mind was 'of profound mediocrity, melded with superhuman willpower'.'There is no one better qualified to write Stalin's life than Robert Conquest, who in his many books about the Stalinist era has told the story with such intimacy, expertise and passion...Conquest tells the tale with an informed hatred for his subject, and a fine sense of irony which makes this book indispensable reading' A.N. Wilson, Evening Standard

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #588620 in Books
• Published on: 2000-11-23
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 368 pages

From the Publisher
Masterly portrait of evil by the foremost Western authority on Stalin. “There is no one better qualified to write Stalin’s life…Conquest tells the tale with an informed hatred for his subject, and a fine sense of irony which makes this book indispensable reading” A.N. Wilson, Evening Standard

About the Author
Robert Conquest was educated at Winchester and Magdalen College, Oxford. He served in the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in World War II, and thereafter in the Foreign Service in Sofia and New York, for which he was awarded the OBE. He has since held various academic posts. He is currently Senior Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace at Stanford University.

Customer Reviews

Very useful
Gives and in-depth insight into life in Russia under Stalin and his attitudes towards policies and foreign affairs. Although taking a while to get through, would recommend it to anyone studying Stalin for AS or A2. Includes some valuable material and is generally a good read.