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8797999's review against another edition
5.0
A superb read, very interesting and informative with lots of interview material from people experienced and perpetrated the acts. How reliable it is who knows, as reliable as documentary evidence I guess.
Both leaders, not men because neither was human, although very different politically were ultimately the same. Two of worst villains to ever be birthed.
A sombre, sad and haunting read. I haven't learned too much of the Soviet Union beyond school so that part with Stalin was very interesting to me.
Certainly whetted my appetite for further study, whilst the Second World War is remembered for the Holocaust and the Nazis, it should also be remembered for Stalins almost equal treatment of the Tatars, Kalmyks and many other groups. The difference was Hitler was very public whereas Stalin was not.
I think I need a fun and distracting palate cleanser after reading this book.
Both leaders, not men because neither was human, although very different politically were ultimately the same. Two of worst villains to ever be birthed.
A sombre, sad and haunting read. I haven't learned too much of the Soviet Union beyond school so that part with Stalin was very interesting to me.
Certainly whetted my appetite for further study, whilst the Second World War is remembered for the Holocaust and the Nazis, it should also be remembered for Stalins almost equal treatment of the Tatars, Kalmyks and many other groups. The difference was Hitler was very public whereas Stalin was not.
I think I need a fun and distracting palate cleanser after reading this book.
valerio18's review against another edition
5.0
Bellissimo libro storico che parla della Seconda Guerra Mondiale a partire dal "rapporto" mistico e estremamente singolare tra i due "titani" del conflitto bellico: Adolf Hitler e Joseph Stalin.
Veramente ben scritto, scorrevole, pieno di curiosità particolari ed eventi che personalmente non conoscevo e che vanno assolutamente ricordati. Un libro che permette di rendere ancora più forte la visione negativa di Hitler ma che decostruisce anche molti punti ambigui della vita di Stalin, figura oggi ancora ambigua agli occhi di troppe persone.
Veramente ben scritto, scorrevole, pieno di curiosità particolari ed eventi che personalmente non conoscevo e che vanno assolutamente ricordati. Un libro che permette di rendere ancora più forte la visione negativa di Hitler ma che decostruisce anche molti punti ambigui della vita di Stalin, figura oggi ancora ambigua agli occhi di troppe persone.
marshaskrypuch's review
5.0
Not since Bullock's groundbreaking dual Hitler and Stalin biography has there been such a thorough comparative dissection of two of the deadliest despots of the 20th century. While Bullock took a biographical and lifelong approach, Rees focuses on the years of WWII. He studies the letters, documents and reports of both dictators' friends and colleagues who observed as each of these men reacted and responded to the events of war, Solidly researched and very well written, this book is a new classic.
#netgalley
#netgalley
jvanwago's review against another edition
5.0
I have long been interested in learning more about Stalin. I knew in general terms about his ruthlessness and had heard about the Holodomor (the starvation of millions of Ukrainians as a result of Stalin’s policies). Given what I knew, I was curious why I had always heard much more about Hitler’s atrocities than those of Stalin.
Rees’ book was exactly what I was looking for in this regard. I did not realize how little I knew about Stalin until I read this book. It was highly informative. Both Hitler and Stalin were seriously evil men, megalomaniacal, and utterly devoted to their respective ideologies. Hitler was a despicable racist and Stalin a committed Marxist who had no regard whatsoever for individuals. At mind-boggling scales, they both killed millions of non-combatants in horrific atrocities.
It was fascinating to read how the shrewd Stalin outplayed both Churchill and Roosevelt and took advantage of their desperate need to be liked. Stalin outlasted Hitler, although Hitler’s legacy of the Holocaust eventually lasted Stalin’s own cruelty. The Holocaust was truly and uniquely evil in the history of humanity. It is rightly a focus of WWII history. That said, Stalin’s reign of terror should be taught more in schools. His alliance of convenience with the USA and UK should not whitewash his evil.
Rees is a great writer and clearly knows his history. His narrative style was engaging and his analysis sharp. Looking forward to reading more by him.
Rees’ book was exactly what I was looking for in this regard. I did not realize how little I knew about Stalin until I read this book. It was highly informative. Both Hitler and Stalin were seriously evil men, megalomaniacal, and utterly devoted to their respective ideologies. Hitler was a despicable racist and Stalin a committed Marxist who had no regard whatsoever for individuals. At mind-boggling scales, they both killed millions of non-combatants in horrific atrocities.
It was fascinating to read how the shrewd Stalin outplayed both Churchill and Roosevelt and took advantage of their desperate need to be liked. Stalin outlasted Hitler, although Hitler’s legacy of the Holocaust eventually lasted Stalin’s own cruelty. The Holocaust was truly and uniquely evil in the history of humanity. It is rightly a focus of WWII history. That said, Stalin’s reign of terror should be taught more in schools. His alliance of convenience with the USA and UK should not whitewash his evil.
Rees is a great writer and clearly knows his history. His narrative style was engaging and his analysis sharp. Looking forward to reading more by him.
olysavra's review
5.0
It seemed after the first war, fort tyranny, first totalitarian regime we must’ve learned hard lessons but not really.
Very well-written and important book. One of the books our children have to read in school instead of regular ones. Read, discuss and maybe finally learn from the past.
Very well-written and important book. One of the books our children have to read in school instead of regular ones. Read, discuss and maybe finally learn from the past.