The oversize dimensions of this book belie the depth it reaches into Uncle Joe's life. Prior to reading the book, I flipped through it, the number of photographs give it an appearance of a magazine, conveying a sense it is an easy read - or at the very least, contains very little substance. Mr. Cawthorne indeed writes in an easy to read style and quickly documents Stalin's whole life; I would imagine Nigel Cawthorne does not miss a decade in Stalin's life. The last two chapters neatly wrap up post World War II, the Cold War, and the modern day events of Vladimir Putin, as they relate to Stalin's legacy.

I gave this book three and-a-half stars fact there are no footnotes or bibliography. ( )