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Hitler and Stalin

The Tyrants and the Second World War
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Hitler and Stalin by Laurence Rees explores the lives, political careers, and the profound impact of Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin on the 20th century. The author provides a comparative analysis of their personalities, ideologies, and decisions that led to atrocities and reshaped the world. The book delves into the interplay between their regimes and the broader historical context.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you're fascinated by the intense and tumultuous relationship between two of history's most infamous dictators. It delves deeply into their interactions, ideologies, and the immense impact they had on the 20th century.

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Hitler and Stalin

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Hitler and Stalin by Laurence Rees provides an in-depth comparative study of the two most infamous dictators of the 20th century, examining their roles during World War II. This meticulously researched book delves into the complex and often chilling relationship between Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin. It paints a detailed picture of how these tyrants forged, broke, and redefined alliances amid the chaos of the largest and bloodiest war in history. The narrative weaves through the ideological battlefield, revealing the unimaginable human cost of their ruthless pursuits for power and control.

Though sworn enemies, Hitler and Stalin shared disturbingly similar traits, each driven by a vision of a utopia that justified unimaginable atrocities. Hitler’s horrific orchestration of the Holocaust is portrayed alongside Stalin’s own series of brutal policies, including the purges, forced famines, and the Great Terror. Rees meticulously compares their methods of manipulation, brutality against their own people, and their use of propaganda to bend historical facts to their advantage.

Rees draws on thirty years of research and includes startling, previously unpublished eyewitness testimonies. These accounts come from soldiers of both the Red Army and the Wehrmacht, civilians who endured the harrowing impact of the conflict, and individuals who had direct interactions with Hitler and Stalin. Such firsthand stories provide a vivid, human dimension to the narrative, challenging long-held misconceptions and shedding new light on these historical figures.

As probably the only historian alive who has personally met Germans who worked for Hitler and Russians who worked for Stalin, Rees brings a unique perspective to the subject. His unparalleled access to sources and his ability to synthesise vast amounts of historical data make this book an authoritative and engaging read. Readers are offered a nuanced understanding of how two men, driven by a relentless quest for power, shaped the 20th century in ways that continue to reverberate today.

Hitler and Stalin is a master work by Laurence Rees, capturing the essence of two of history's most pivotal leaders. It’s a compelling, enlightening, and deeply unsettling exploration of how their legacies intertwined and the long-lasting impact of their reigns. Historical enthusiasts and casual readers alike will find this book a vital resource for understanding some of the darkest chapters in human history.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Hitler and Stalin by Laurence Rees is praised for its perceptive and original insights into two of history's most notorious dictators. Reviewers highlight its powerful combination of eye-witness testimony and compelling analysis. It is described as vivid, gripping, and revelatory, providing fresh perspectives and retaining readers' attention despite the complex subject matter.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241979693

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 October 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 32.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 397g

Pages: 528

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About the Author

Laurence Rees is the author of several acclaimed books on the Second World War and is a former Head of BBC TV History programmes. His work includes the television series and bestselling books The Nazis- A Warning from History, Auschwitz- The Nazis and the 'Final Solution', World War II- Behind Closed Doors and The Dark Charisma of Adolf Hitler. In 2017, his The Holocaust- A New History, was a Sunday Times bestseller. Educated at Oxford University, Rees holds honorary doctorates from the University of Sheffield and the Open University. His many awards include a British Book Award, a BAFTA, a George Foster Peabody award, a Broadcasting Press Guild award, a Grierson award, a Broadcast award, two International Documentary awards and two Emmys.

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