#15 - Jeremy Howard

In 'Stalin's War', Sean McMeekin presents a groundbreaking reassessment of World War II by shifting the focus from Adolf Hitler to Joseph Stalin. McMeekin argues that Stalin was the central figure in the conflict, working to ensure that the war would leave his enemies exhausted and ripe for revolution. The book reveals how Soviet Communism was rescued by the self-defeating strategic moves of the US and Britain, particularly through Lend-Lease aid, which provided Stalin's war machine with substantial American matériel. This support enabled the Soviet Union to conquer much of Eurasia, from Berlin to Beijing, and set the stage for the Cold War. McMeekin's research draws on previously classified Soviet archives and challenges the traditional view of World War II as a simple struggle between good and evil.

The Party Decides explores the evolution of presidential nominations from the 1790s, arguing that party insiders have consistently played a crucial role in selecting candidates. The book challenges the common view that reforms in the 1970s gave voters more power, instead highlighting the importance of endorsements and support from interest groups and state party leaders in shaping nominations.