Cold Peace: Stalin and the Soviet Ruling Circle, 1945-1953
"...would be useful reading for those studying the regimes of Adolf Hitler, Francisco Franco, Fidel Castro, or Saddam Hussein."--Eric Duskin, Christopher Newport University"...a close-to-definitive reappraisal of the political history of late Soviet Stalinism, an accomplishment that had eluded so many scholars due to the lack of sufficient archival access...an exhaustively researched and lucidly written volume ."--Slavic Review"A book of impeccable scholarship, which deserves to be read by all serious students of modern Russian history and politics."--The Russian Review"Whereas earlier historians of this period have relied largely on newspaper articles, leaked reports and memoirs -- many colored to show Khrushchev, Stalin's eventual successor, in a positive light -- Gorlizki and Khlevniuk have trawled through piles of newly available Central Committee paperwork and personal correspondence to create an admirably objective and balanced account of Stalin's relationship with his ruling circle....For scholars seeking a hard-nosed analysis of high-level Soviet politics after the war, this book could hardly be bettered."--Moscow Times"The authors' impressive work with the archival sources makes for a convincing and gripping account of the dictator's final months and days....a book of impeccable scholarship, which deserves to be read by all serious students of modern Russian history and politics....It may attract comparison with those two splendid blockbusters, William Taubman'sKhrushchev: The Man and His Eraand Simon Sebag Montefiore'sStalin: The Court of the Red Star. While the scope of their research is narrower, Gorlizki and Khlevniuk display no less skill in creating this definitive monograph."--T.H. Rigby, Australian National University, Canberra