The Stalin Phenomenon

by Giuseppe Boffa

What was the true nature of Joseph Stalin's regime, and how should we assess its place in the political history of our century? In this remarkably comprehensive book (first published in Italy in 1982), Giuseppe Boffa seeks to answer these deceptively simple questions, and in the process provides the first authoritative guide to the hodgepodge of conflicting interpretations advanced to explain the genesis and influence of Stalin's regime.

205 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Historian and journalist, one of the most respected experts on the history of Eastern Europe, correspondent for the Italian Communists' newspaper Unita.

Joined the Communist Party of Italy in 1944, becoming a member of the underground cells in the concentration camp Fossoli where subsequently escaped. In 1953 he became the first post-war Italian permanent correspondent in Moscow.

Reviews

[Derek Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another one of those that only lovers of Soviet history can enjoy. Boffa is perhaps the authority on Stalinist historiography. It is a must read for the field, but it can be daunting.