Stalin & His Library: A Dictator and His Books
“Education is a weapon, whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed.” ~ Joseph Stalin
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Stalin was an avid and voracious reader. In his recent book, Professor Geoffrey Roberts tells us about the life of Joseph Stalin through the books that the dictator read, collected, annotated, and banned.This book draws an extraordinary vivid portrait of Stalin as an intellectual who could never satiate his curiosity; who ardently believed in ideas; and who believed in mysterious powers of reading.
Geoffrey Roberts’ other books
Excellent articles & interview by Geoffrey Roberts
Geoffrey Roberts’ interview at the George Washington University
A wonderful story of Shushanika Manucharyants who organised Stalin’s library
An insightful Q&A with Professor Roberts.