The Unknown Stalin

by The Overlook Press, Roy Medvedev, Ellen Dahrendorf, etc.

Release Date: 05 January, 2004

Edition: Hardcover

Price:

More Info

Stalin; Still Unknown

As my children are related to Molotov by marriage, I am always interested in new books about Russian figures, especially since the fall of communism. I will persevere with this book, but it is frustrating to be told "Stalin eliminated many rivals on his way to the top; historians know their names." Thanks; what about the rest of us? Also, Russian translations have a certain annoying quality bordering on condescension: "If you're reading this book you must be ignorant; otherwise you'd know it all and wouldn't have to read this book"! In general, are translators working from first to second language, or vice versa? That would affect their choice of words,and we should be told. There is still a lot of habitual excuse-making and spin control, even when one of the authors has been exiled since 1973! This must be part of the Slavic genome. But I still plan to finish it, and I think it's worth reading, especially if you are part of the Russian diaspora as I am.