Winner of the British Book Awards History Book of the YearLonglisted for the Samuel Johnson
Prize This thrilling biography of Stalin and his entourage during the terrifying decades of his
supreme power transforms our understanding of Stalin as Soviet dictator Marxist leader and
Russian tsar. Based on groundbreaking research Simon Sebag Montefiore reveals in captivating
detail the fear and betrayal privilege and debauchery family life and murderous cruelty of
this secret world. Written with extraordinary narrative verve this magnificent feat of
scholarly research has become a classic of modern history writing. Showing how Stalin's
triumphs and crimes were the product of his fanatical Marxism and his gifted but flawed
character this is an intimate portrait of a man as complicated and human as he was brutal and
chilling.
