Stalin's Wars: From World War to Cold War, 1939-1953This breakthrough book provides a detailed reconstruction of Stalin’s leadership from the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 to his death in 1953. Making use of a wealth of new material from Russian archives, Geoffrey Roberts challenges a long list of standard perceptions of Stalin: his qualities as a leader; his relationships with his own generals and with other great world leaders; his foreign policy; and his role in instigating the Cold War. While frankly exploring the full extent of Stalin’s brutalities and their impact on the Soviet people, Roberts also uncovers evidence leading to the stunning conclusion that Stalin was both the greatest military leader of the twentieth century and a remarkable politician who sought to avoid the Cold War and establish a long-term detente with the capitalist world. By means of an integrated military, political, and diplomatic narrative, the author draws a sustained and compelling personal portrait of the Soviet leader. The resulting picture is fascinating and contradictory, and it will inevitably change the way we understand Stalin and his place in history. Roberts depicts a despot who helped save the world for democracy, a personal charmer who disciplined mercilessly, a utopian ideologue who could be a practical realist, and a warlord who undertook the role of architect of post-war peace. |
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According action advance agreed agreement alliance allies American attack August battle began Berlin Britain British campaign Churchill Cold commanders communist conference continued decision defence directive discussion divisions document early East Eastern economic enemy established Europe European forces Foreign France Front Georgi Dimitrov German Group Harriman History Hitler important influence interests issued Italy Japan July June later leader Leningrad London March Marshal meeting military million Minister Molotov Moscow negotiations noted November occupy October offensive operation pact party Patriotic peace Poland Polish political position possible postwar prepared proposal published question record Red Army regime relations reports response role Roosevelt Russian Second September Soviet Union speech Stalin Stalingrad strategic territory tion told treaty United University Press USSR victory wanted Warsaw western World Zhukov
Bibliographic information
| Title | Stalin's Wars: From World War to Cold War, 1939-1953 |
| Author | Geoffrey Roberts |
| Edition | unabridged |
| Publisher | Yale University Press, 2006 |
| ISBN | 0300112041, 9780300112047 |
| Length | 468 pages |
| Subjects | › › History / Military / General |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |