#1478

Mentioned in 17 episodes

Stalin

The Court of the Red Tsar

Book • 2014

Simon Sebag Montefiore

This biography transforms our understanding of Stalin as Soviet dictator, Marxist leader, and Russian tsar.

Based on groundbreaking research, Simon Sebag Montefiore reveals the daily life, family relationships, and the brutal cruelty of Stalin's secret world.

The book is praised for its elegant prose, rich detail, and the author's ability to humanize Stalin while highlighting his brutal and chilling nature.

It is a masterful and terrifying account that has become a classic of modern history writing.

Mentioned by

Simon Sebag Montefiore

Jordan Schneider

Mentioned in 17 episodes

Mentioned by

Elon Musk

when discussing books that were too dark to finish reading.

#252 – Elon Musk: SpaceX, Mars, Tesla Autopilot, Self-Driving, Robotics, and AI

Mentioned by

Dwarkesh Patel

as the second volume of the Stalin biographies.

Stephen Kotkin — How Stalin became the most powerful dictator in history

Mentioned by

Lex Fridman

as a source of information on Stalin.

#444 – Vejas Liulevicius: Communism, Marxism, Nazism, Stalin, Mao, and Hitler

Mentioned by

Dwarkesh Patel

in the context of biographies offering a broad historical perspective.

Daniel Yergin — Oil destroyed Hitler, fracking destroyed Putin

Mentioned by

Tucker Carlson

as a great book about Stalin.

Tucker Carlson and Michael Shellenberger Break Down the California Fires

Mentioned by

Tucker Carlson

as a book that challenged his understanding of Stalin.

Darryl Cooper: The True History of the Jonestown Cult, WWII, and How Winston Churchill Ruined Europe

Mentioned by

Sam Harris

as offering an amazing lens through which to look at the present.

#393 — Is History Repeating Itself?

Mentioned by

Bari Weiss

as one of the most important historians alive today, whose books are essential to understanding power and human nature.

Simon Sebag Montefiore: History Is Not Over

Mentioned in the episode description as one of the books written by

Stephen Kotkin

.

#289 – Stephen Kotkin: Putin, Zelenskyy, and War in Ukraine

Mentioned in the episode description as one of the books written by

Stephen Kotkin

.

#289 – Stephen Kotkin: Putin, Zelenskyy, and War in Ukraine

Mentioned by

Afua Hirsch

as a source for the podcast episode.

Stalin | The Terror | 2

Mentioned by

Afua Hirsch

as a source for the podcast episode on Joseph Stalin.

Stalin | Fighting Hitler | 3

Mentioned by

Afua Hirsch

as a source for the podcast series.

Stalin | The Georgian Bandit | 1

Mentioned by

Sam Harris

as offering an amazing lens through which to look at the present.

#393 - Is History Repeating Itself?

Mentioned by

Afua Hirsch

when describing Stalin's physical appearance in his later years.

Stalin | The Stain of Stalin | 4

Mentioned by

Afua Hirsch

as one of the sources used for the podcast episode.

Stalin | The Stain of Stalin | 4

Mentioned by

Jon Sine

while discussing Stalin's China policy.

The Soviets' Bid for Global Power

Mentioned by

Simon Sebag Montefiore

in relation to Stalin's archives.

74. Peter the Great: The First Emperor

Mentioned by General McMaster as an expert on authoritarian regimes.

Special Episode: Coffee & Conflict Interview with General H.R. McMaster

Recommended by

Jordan Schneider

as insightful books for understanding Mao's thinking and reference points.

Little Red Book, Big Red Ideas: Part 2 of A Global History of Maoism

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