Episode 73: Stalin's Library with Geoffrey Roberts
About this episode
The episode explores Stalin's political-intellectual world and his engagement with Marxism, guided by historian Geoffrey Roberts.
On today’s episode we explore the political-intellectual world of Stalin, from his embrace of Marxism in Georgia at the turn of the century to his years in the Kremlin as head of the Soviet Union, with historian Geoffrey Roberts. Guiding our discussion is Roberts newest book Stalin’s Library (2022). In it, Roberts constructs a riveting intellectual biography of Stalin as a Marxist through Stalin's engagement with other thinkers, his own writings as well as his notes and annotations on books in his personal library. We also discuss how Georgia shaped Stalin’s political development and much more. Geoffrey Roberts is an historian, biographer, and political commentator. A leading Soviet history expert, his many books include an award-winning biography of Zhukov, Stalin’s general, and the acclaimed Stalin’s Wars: From World War to Cold War . He is emeritus professor of history at University College Cork and a member of the Royal Irish Academy. Check out Geoffrey Robert’s website to read his writing and more: https://geoffreyroberts.net/ Episode music: Tkveoba - მოლოდინი
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