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Liked It “excellent details of what went on in Russia under Stalin.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “This book perhaps deserves a better rating than I give, but in the end I couldn't describe it as a very 'enjoyable read'. It is 'good history' and very revealing but I think, in the end, my personal revile for Stalin actually increased the more I learned about him, which conversely lowered my...” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“excellent details of what went on in Russia under Stalin.”
Vijay Ravi wrote this review Wednesday, March 21, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Stalin's life laid open to the world.”
Shelley S wrote this review Wednesday, October 5, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“All right, Simon Sebag Montefiore. Uncle. I tried and I tried, but I give up: I cannot finish your gigantic Stalin biography. It pains me -- deeply -- to admit it, but when you spend a month avoiding reading, or reading everything you can lay your hands on EXCEPT the book you are reading, it is time to give in, face the inevitable. Dammit though, I do so hate not finishing books I start, particularly when they are non-fiction, and especially particularly when they are part of one of my Projects, as this one was (Project Russia, every January). The problem here is detail, as in, way way too much of it. Given that this opus is something over 600 pages, with microtiny print on every one, I guess it's not too shocking that the book's downfall is its overwhelming detail. The other problem is keeping straight the hundreds of people who pop up for their 15 minutes of Soviet fame: a government contains a lot of people, and SSM details the fate of every last one of them at Stalin's hands. He then goes on to detail the fate of their replacements, and theirs, and theirs, and... And that's when I realized it was time to put this down and move on. For those who want an insane level of detail, or those who already possess a sunstantial background in Stalin-era history and personages, this might actually be an okay choice. It is mostly well written, although there are times when the writing does not follow. There are essential connections left out that link proposition A to conclusion B, or, as happens with deeply knowledgeable subject matter experts, they breeze by things that are so innate to them, they elide details and facts they assume that everyone knows. We don't, however, and that makes the writing seem choppy or ill-connected at times. In any event, the quality of the writing in this case is far less the issue than the quantity of it. So, reader, be warned, and pick this up at your peril.
Jenny B wrote this review Saturday, May 14, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
”“Long book. A bit too general despite being over 650 pages. While I knew much about Stalin during World War II, I didn't know much about the man's family, likes/dislikes, habits and state of mind.
Bill V wrote this review Tuesday, October 12, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
What an insecure, paranoid and bloodthirsty savage despite being a patron of the arts and well read. Makes me wonder what some people see in some of these totalitarian regimes. Killed millions of his own people including several family members, friends and colleagues. Like many of these megalomaniacs, he was a study in contrasts.
It was tough at times keeping track of the multitude of characters found throughout the book. Nonetheless, satisfying read.”“Excellent. The story of a brilliant and evil man. His brilliance in my mind lies in how this sociopath created a reinforcing web of terror and fear to keep his own lieutenants and potential opponents in line. If you are looking for some kind of earthbound justice, there is none and this awful human dies peacefully in his bed. Great pictures too. The evils are unspeakable. In my opinion, Stalin makes Hitler look like an amateur. He shares with Chairman Mao my honor of being one of the two most despicable humans in modern times.”
Steve S wrote this review Friday, September 10, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Excellent analyse of Stalin's life - private and politics. Strongly reccomend”
Maciek M wrote this review Sunday, August 29, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“This book perhaps deserves a better rating than I give, but in the end I couldn't describe it as a very 'enjoyable read'. It is 'good history' and very revealing but I think, in the end, my personal revile for Stalin actually increased the more I learned about him, which conversely lowered my interest in knowing any more about him! I struggled through to the end and thought the book well written and interesting - but I wouldn't pick it up again. One for the buffs of Soviet history rather than the casual reader I'm afraid.”
Milgeek wrote this review Saturday, July 24, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“One of the better examinations of Stalin's henchmen and the twisted circle that cowered at his feet. Readable, and with enough detail to hold the reader's interest.”
Hugh Ashton wrote this review Saturday, March 27, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Terrifying look at the 'banality of evil'. Some of Stalin's henchmen remind me of my more grotesque colleagues.”
Adrian C wrote this review Friday, January 29, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Intersperses his mammoth account of Stalin's often-deadly political decisions with the personal lives of the Soviet dictator and those around him. Stalin and his cronies are humanized at the same time as their cruel misdeeds are recounted.”
Tom Miller wrote this review Sunday, January 24, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
