Abraham Ascher is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History at the Graduate School of the City University of New York. He is the recipient of numerous awards and the author of seven books, including Russia: A Short History and The Russian Revolution: A Beginner’s Guide, both by Oneworld. He lives in New York.

"In just under 200 crisply written pages, Abraham Ascher provides a splendid summary of Joseph Stalin's life and a penetrating study of his rule. Ascher gives his readers far more than an accurate account of a turbulent era in Russian history.  He sets Stalin in the global scene, supplies sharply defined portraits of his henchmen and victims, and makes a balanced assessment of the scholarly disputes that continue to swirl around the man and his times. This book is a perfect introduction to complicated and fascinating subject."

Abraham Ascher is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History at the Graduate School of the City University of New York. He is the recipient of numerous awards and the author of seven books, including Russia: A Short History and The Russian Revolution: A Beginner’s Guide, both by Oneworld. He lives in New York.

"In just under 200 crisply written pages, Abraham Ascher provides a splendid summary of Joseph Stalin's life and a penetrating study of his rule. Ascher gives his readers far more than an accurate account of a turbulent era in Russian history.  He sets Stalin in the global scene, supplies sharply defined portraits of his henchmen and victims, and makes a balanced assessment of the scholarly disputes that continue to swirl around the man and his times. This book is a perfect introduction to complicated and fascinating subject."

Abraham Ascher is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History at the Graduate School of the City University of New York. He is the recipient of numerous awards and the author of seven books, including Russia: A Short History and The Russian Revolution: A Beginner’s Guide, both by Oneworld. He lives in New York.

"In just under 200 crisply written pages, Abraham Ascher provides a splendid summary of Joseph Stalin's life and a penetrating study of his rule. Ascher gives his readers far more than an accurate account of a turbulent era in Russian history.  He sets Stalin in the global scene, supplies sharply defined portraits of his henchmen and victims, and makes a balanced assessment of the scholarly disputes that continue to swirl around the man and his times. This book is a perfect introduction to complicated and fascinating subject."