Stalinists please read this [Archive]

communard resolution

7th June 2008, 13:39

I noticed that every attempted criticism of Stalin on revleft is brushed off as based on "bourgeois" or anti-communist sources. I for one am genuinely interested in the subject and don't want to rely exclusively on these sources.

Therfore I'm asking you: could you point me to a book that offers a fair yet critical account of Stalin and the USSR under his rule?

It must be available in English language.

Thanks!

Lamanov

7th June 2008, 15:25

Stalin by Issac Deutscher.

Holden Caulfield

7th June 2008, 17:33

Stalin by Issac Deutscher.

seconded,

saying to read that one will probs gets the Stalinist purge mongers pissed off tho, they have a problem with criticism and with 'bourgosie' creations like facts

Dros

7th June 2008, 17:36

"Another View of Stalin" which is openly pro-Stalin and available free online here. (http://www.plp.org/books/Stalin/book.html)

"Best Sons of the Fatherland" does not deal specifically with Stalin but with Stalin's collectivization policy and provides insight into the conditions of the USSR at the time and the nature of democratic involvement in government and of the Proletarian state.

"Stalin's Industrial Revolution". Pretty self explanatory.

I'd also suggest you check out The Stalin Society's materials, some of which are free on their website.

Lastly, I suggest you read through Mao's works about Stalin because they provide a key insight into how Marxists understand Stalin and the Stalin period.

Hope this helps!

Dros

7th June 2008, 17:37

saying to read that one will probs gets the Stalinist purge mongers pissed off tho, they have a problem with criticism and with 'bourgosie' creations like facts

You are as completely ignorant as you are boring aren't you?

communard resolution

7th June 2008, 19:51

Thanks to everybody for their recommendations so far!

3A CCCP

7th June 2008, 20:04

"Another View of Stalin" which is openly pro-Stalin and available free online here. (http://www.plp.org/books/Stalin/book.html)

"Best Sons of the Fatherland" does not deal specifically with Stalin but with Stalin's collectivization policy and provides insight into the conditions of the USSR at the time and the nature of democratic involvement in government and of the Proletarian state.

"Stalin's Industrial Revolution". Pretty self explanatory.

I'd also suggest you check out The Stalin Society's materials, some of which are free on their website.

Lastly, I suggest you read through Mao's works about Stalin because they provide a key insight into how Marxists understand Stalin and the Stalin period.

Hope this helps!

I, too, recommend Ludo Martens "Another View of Stalin."

3A CCCP!
Mikhail

3A CCCP

7th June 2008, 20:13

Stalin by Issac Deutscher.

I doubt that you are going to get a "fair" evaluation of comrade Stalin from Isaac Deutscher. He was kicked out of the CPSU in 1932 and took refuge in Britain. He was an admirer of Trotsky. I would think that is a hint as to how "fair" his picture of comrade Stalin will be.

3A CCCP!
Mikhail

Q

7th June 2008, 21:37

I doubt that you are going to get a "fair" evaluation of comrade Stalin from Isaac Deutscher. He was kicked out of the CPSU in 1932 and took refuge in Britain. He was an admirer of Trotsky. I would think that is a hint as to how "fair" his picture of comrade Stalin will be.

3A CCCP!
Mikhail
I didn't take the hint, please explain.

Also: The Revolution Betrayed is a very good analysis on the subject.

Or would this be "anti-communist"? :rolleyes:

Dros

7th June 2008, 21:57

Also: The Revolution Betrayed is a very good analysis on the subject.

Or would this be "anti-communist"? :rolleyes:

Yes it would be, troll.

Q

7th June 2008, 23:47

Yes it would be, troll.
I laughed hard here :lol:

But I get the hint, this is a Stalinist-only thread.

Dros

7th June 2008, 23:54

I laughed hard here :lol:

But I get the hint, this is a Stalinist-only thread.

No it isn't. The OP isn't a Stalinist. I don't really know his politics but she or he is setting a good example by attempting to learn about history before pontificating about what they know nothing about which is a habit many of the people on this board seem to have.

communard resolution

8th June 2008, 00:00

In response to Q Collective:

Not necessarily. I'm grateful for recommendations from both Stalinists and non-Stalinists. I would be specifically interested in coherent texts that are critical yet do not have "evil! Communist! psychopath! Stalin!" written all over them since I've already read enough of those and would like to have a look at the other side of the story.

Children behave.

The Author

8th June 2008, 00:26

Stalin, Man of History by Ian Grey.

Moscow 1937 by Lion Feuchtwanger.

KC

8th June 2008, 00:35

Deutscher's book is generally regarded as one of the most comprehensive on the subject.

RHIZOMES

8th June 2008, 04:35

This old Stalinist lady I know recommended me the book "Stalin: A Man of Contradiction" by Kenneth Neill Cameron. But I have not read it myself.

Holden Caulfield

8th June 2008, 10:29

You are as completely ignorant as you are boring aren't you?

yeah probably:)
your probs my favouritie Stalinist on here dosera don't fall back to personal insults especially when you can do better,

and i do know about Stalin in power, i have a A at A level in the subject if that counts for anything...

bcbm

8th June 2008, 11:25

I doubt that you are going to get a "fair" evaluation of comrade Stalin from Isaac Deutscher. He was kicked out of the CPSU in 1932 and took refuge in Britain. He was an admirer of Trotsky. I would think that is a hint as to how "fair" his picture of comrade Stalin will be.

3A CCCP!
Mikhail

And what would a fair evaluation be? The one coming from Maoists or Stalinists? I doubt it. I think one needs to read from both sides and try to figure out the truth for themselves. When dealing with such a controversial figure, almost everyone will be trying to push an agenda and being very selective about the sources they use and information they include.

Rosa Lichtenstein

8th June 2008, 12:29

Arizon Boy, it's a terrible book -- a work of hagiography, as are many of the others listed here.

Lamanov

8th June 2008, 12:35

I wouldn't quite say that Deutscher admired Trotsky. If he had, his trillogy of Trotsky wouldn't be quite a material to be regarded as the best English written biography ever.

I repeat, Stalin by Isaac Deutscher. Just ignore other hagiographies, especially the one by Ludo Martens.

Aurora

8th June 2008, 12:39

As Q said The Revolution Betrayed is a good book on the subject. Contrary to popular stalinist belief it isnt anti-communist, it infact defends the massive gains the USSR made.

Q

8th June 2008, 14:29

In response to Q Collective:

Not necessarily. I'm grateful for recommendations from both Stalinists and non-Stalinists. I would be specifically interested in coherent texts that are critical yet do not have "evil! Communist! psychopath! Stalin!" written all over them since I've already read enough of those and would like to have a look at the other side of the story.
I see, then yes, The Revolution Betrayed is very good work. It's online and a mustread :)