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The Last Days of Stalin: A Chilling Account of the Soviet Dictator's Final Days

Jamison Cox

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The Last Days of Stalin

by Joshua Rubenstein

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3386 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	288 pages

Joseph Stalin, the ruthless dictator of the Soviet Union, died on March 5, 1953, at the age of 74. His death marked the end of an era of terror and oppression that had gripped the country for decades. But what were the last days of Stalin's life like? What were his and actions? And what were the consequences of his death?

In his book The Last Days of Stalin, historian Robert Service provides a gripping account of the final days of the Soviet dictator. Service draws on a wealth of primary sources, including previously unpublished documents and interviews with eyewitnesses, to paint a vivid picture of Stalin's final months, weeks, and days.

According to Service, Stalin's health began to decline in the early 1950s. He suffered from a variety of ailments, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and kidney problems. In the months leading up to his death, Stalin's health deteriorated rapidly. He became increasingly isolated and paranoid, and his grip on power began to slip.

On March 1, 1953, Stalin suffered a massive stroke that left him paralyzed and unable to speak. His doctors and staff were initially unsure if he would survive, but Stalin clung to life for four more days. During this time, he was visited by his closest associates, who tried to persuade him to name a successor. But Stalin refused, and he died without naming an heir.

Stalin's death sent shockwaves through the Soviet Union and the world. His death marked the end of an era, and it ushered in a period of uncertainty and turmoil. In the aftermath of Stalin's death, there was a power struggle among his closest associates, and it was not until 1956 that Nikita Khrushchev emerged as the new leader of the Soviet Union.

Khrushchev's rise to power marked a new era in Soviet history. Khrushchev denounced Stalin's crimes and began to implement a series of reforms that aimed to liberalize the Soviet system. But Khrushchev's reforms were not enough to satisfy the Soviet people, and the Soviet Union continued to face a number of challenges, including economic stagnation and political repression.

The legacy of Stalin is still debated today. Some historians argue that Stalin was a ruthless tyrant who was responsible for the deaths of millions of people. Others argue that Stalin was a great leader who industrialized the Soviet Union and defeated Nazi Germany. Regardless of one's opinion of Stalin, there is no doubt that he was one of the most significant figures of the 20th century.