Mention Regarding Books Hitler and Stalin: Parallel Lives
| Title | : | Hitler and Stalin: Parallel Lives |
| Author | : | Alan Bullock |
| Book Format | : | Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | Deluxe Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 1152 pages |
| Published | : | November 2nd 1993 by Vintage (first published 1991) |
| Categories | : | History. Biography. Nonfiction. Cultural. Russia. Germany. Politics. War. World War II |
Alan Bullock
Paperback | Pages: 1152 pages Rating: 4.15 | 2367 Users | 65 Reviews
Commentary Supposing Books Hitler and Stalin: Parallel Lives
I used to teach Alan Bullock's "Hitler and Stalin: Parallel Lives" in courses about totalitarianism. Contrary to many other college textbooks, which tend to date rather quickly, this history book seems timeless. Bullock offers a monumental social biography of two of the most evil dictators in human history as well as an epic sketch of an era. Although the author specializes in Hitler, his grasp of Stalin is equally impressive. It rivals, in fact, Robert Conquest's "The Great Terror" in its thoroughness and depth.As the title suggests, Bullock alternates chapters on Hitler with those on Stalin. He reveals how each dictator relied on his powers of manipulation, deception and opportunism to rise to power and spread totalitarian regimes meant to wipe out the human spirit and large parts of humanity itself across the world. The book also explains how Hitler and Stalin initially operated within the systems which they later (mis)used for their own selfish and nefarious goals. Whatever their rhetoric and ideology, both sociopathic tyrants ultimately craved power for its own sake, at the expense of everyone else, even the causes (and allies) they initially claimed to support.
Bullock's "Hitler and Stalin: Parallel Lives" gives us a detailed, compelling and extremely informative portrait of the faces of evil. It is an indispensable book for all those who want to understand how totalitarian regimes function and the role sociopathic dictators play in changing the course of history. As luck would have it, sociopaths are too self-serving and power-hungry to form lasting alliances. Had Hitler and Stalin not turned on each other, totalitarianism might have triumphed across the globe. As Winston Churchill famously stated in a speech after the German invasion of the Soviet Union: "If Hitler invaded Hell I would make at least a favorable reference to the devil in the House of Commons."
Claudia Moscovici, Notablewriters.com
List Books Conducive To Hitler and Stalin: Parallel Lives
| Original Title: | Hitler and Stalin: Parallel Lives |
| ISBN: | 0679729941 (ISBN13: 9780679729945) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Characters: | Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler |
| Literary Awards: | Wolfson History Prize (1992) |
Rating Regarding Books Hitler and Stalin: Parallel Lives
Ratings: 4.15 From 2367 Users | 65 ReviewsCrit Regarding Books Hitler and Stalin: Parallel Lives
Brilliant. The longest book I've ever read! I have learnt so much about Stalin and the rise and continuation of communism. It was also a great way to learn about Stalin - in comparison with Hitler. Actually I learnt a lot about Hitler too! The author was right - religious fundamentalism had taken over as the biggest threat to the world after the Cold War ended. Would be great to read an updated version, there must be additional info around now 20 years after this was published.Phew... I survived reading this book mentally intact. That feels like a small miracle. It is hard to imagine two more evil men. In fact, at times Parallel Lives reads like fantasy, because it is almost inconceivable that people could actually have behaved like Hitler and Stalin did. But in the end I think the prize for most evil man of the 20th century (or perhaps any century) goes to ... drum roll .... Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin. He definitely wins hands down, no question. I think it is
I read this book when it first came out over 20 years ago, and last school year I picked it up and started over again. While it is a bit dated, this is the only serious work to ever lay the lives of history's two most deadly dictators side by side. While Bullock's style is a bit dry in places, the scope of his scholarship is truly impressive. There are some golden quotes in this book, not just about Hitler and Stalin, but about the similarities and differences between Nazism and Communism.
I was surprised by this book- erratic and all over the place with its timelines of both men. However, it is well written and if you have a background on both monsters then you are going to have a good read. It is pretty much everything we have read about the two. Good thing is we get an excellent insight into great battles, death camps, etc. Worth a read!
A classic and must-read for every scholar of World War II. Two definitive biographies for the price of one, with tons of historical analysis and comparisons in strategy and outlook year by year.
An actual mind blowing.
An actual mind blowing.
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