Written through the perception of Edvard Radzinsky, Stalin is an incredible book. Through the access Radzinsky was granted to the secret archives, he provides great insight into the causes and the reasons of many mysteries dealing with Stalin. Radzinsky writes about various aspects of Stalin and his life as well as his rise to power. He also discusses Stalin's diposition of other political dignitaries such as Lenin, Ilyich, and numerous other leaders.

Stalin's life began in the little Georgian town of Gori in 1878. Growing up, Stalin or "little Soso" saw his mother work for Jewish merchants. Although the Jewish merchants was described as being soft hearted, Stalin's anti-Semitic mindset might have began here. Seeing the Jews as those with wealth and power made Stalin despise them. Becoming a politician for Stalin was a cakewalk; unlike an amateur politician, he was calm, pragmatic, yet a cynical figure. His communist...