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The Last Days of Stalin cover art

The Last Days of Stalin

By: Joshua Rubenstein
Narrated by: Arthur Morey
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Summary

A scholarly, absorbing narrative of Stalin's last days and the turbulent wake of his dictatorship.

Joshua Rubenstein's riveting account takes us back to the second half of 1952, when no one could foresee an end to Joseph Stalin's murderous regime. He was poised to challenge the newly elected US president, Dwight Eisenhower, with armed force and was also broadening a vicious campaign against Soviet Jews. Stalin's sudden collapse and death in March 1953 was as dramatic and mysterious as his life. It is no overstatement to say that his passing marked a major turning point in the 20th century.

The Last Days of Stalin is an engaging, briskly told account of the dictator's final active months, the vigil at his deathbed, and the unfolding of Soviet and international events in the months after his death. Rubenstein throws fresh light on the devious plotting of Beria, Malenkov, Khrushchev, and other "comrades-in-arms" who well understood the significance of the dictator's impending death; the witness-documented events of his death as compared to official published versions; Stalin's rumored plans to forcibly exile Soviet Jews; the responses of Eisenhower and Secretary of State Dulles to the Kremlin's conciliatory gestures after Stalin's death; and the momentous repercussions when Stalin's regime of terror was cut short.

©2016 Joshua Rubenstein (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about The Last Days of Stalin

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Shows fear and suspicion of the ruling Soviets

In depth look at the events surrounding Stalins death, and how the Soviet union struggled to accept it after 30 years of the Terror! Shows just how the politburo had been under Stalin's control, and had to become devious in order for a successor to emerge where none had been nominated.

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Good history

Seems a narrpw scope bit expands the topic interestingly, more informative than the recent film on this topic!

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Info dump

This is an interesting historical account of the goings on around the time of Stalin's death.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

If Only It Was A Russian Narrative.

I loved the story.Indeed the final days of Stalin or rather the final hours of Stalin had been the source of much debate.
This book/audiobook gives a clearer outline of those final hours and the days leading up to Stalin's death.
if you can past the American narration that is which I must admit proved difficult.
However I highly recommend this book /audiobook.

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review

A fascinating insight and analysis of a transition in history. Much to think about

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Wrong Title

The constant theme of this book did not seem to be Stalins death, but the Doctors plot and anti Jewish policy of Stalin and the USSR. While abhorrent, the subjects seemed to divert away from any real substance matter involving the situation of Stalin’s death, giving scant reference to other events at the time, if only for a period reference. Not recommended.

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