In my continued exposure to leftist spaces and a leftist view on history it has become clear that all I understand about Stalin is the reactionary rhetoric I've been fed my whole life. I have only just started on reading theory and exposing myself to a leftist view, so Stalin as a topic isn't something I've reached yet.
But I have to ask, and I think this is the place to ask it, what is the deal with Stalin?
The vibe I get is that people at a minimum don't hate Stalin, but also maybe at most appricate Stalin. I'm aware that the efforts of the USSR during WW2, especially in regards to Nazi aggression are a credit to his administration and leadership, but is that really where the vibe starts and stops?
I'm not looking for a dissertation on the guy, but just the notes or primary points. I'll take reading suggestions too.
Thanks comrades.
I just read the front matter of the English translation and I definitely want to read more and other works of his.
He confronts mistakes and faults quite honestly, which is how it should be and the only way the myths can be swept away.
Coincidentally, I was just listening to a podcast interviewing Marxists who released a translation of this book, if you're interested in listening to a discussion about it before reading, @RedWizard@hexbear.net.
Youtube link: Actually Exiting Socialism Podcast: Critiquing Stalin's Black Legend w/ Henry Hakamäki & Salvatore Engel-Di Mauro. Piped link: https://pi.ggtyler.dev/watch?v=plFyR9yIt-c
They also released the book/translation as a free .pdf here: https://www.iskrabooks.org/stalin-history-and-critique
So there you go... podcast discussion for the notes and primary points you were asking about, and the book itself for the real reading suggestion.
Awesome thanks!
Yes that's a great episode.
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Sorry for the late response, I just now saw your comment.
If you didn't already find it, the following episode, "Stalin vs MLK Jr: Soviet Anti-colonialism & Anti-racism w/ Henry Hakamäki & Salvatore Engel-Di Mauro" is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6heIlF_Ntbs (also here)
It's been a really informative podcast and I'd recommend it in general. These are some other recent episodes:
How to Visit North Korea w/ Zoe Stephens
Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic 101: Pre-history to World War II w/ Iskolat
The Propaganda War Against China w/ Carlos Martinez
How China Avoided The Soviet Union's Fate w/ Carlos Martinez
Black Girl From Pyongyang, North Korea w/ Monica Macias
How the Soviet "Threat" Benefited Workers in the West w/ Alice Malone
etc.
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I found a YouTube link in your comment. Here are links to the same video on alternative frontends that protect your privacy:
Stalin does a great job of boiling down Lennin in a lot of his writings.