A Weblog of Centrist Voices in American Politics
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A Weblog of Centrist Voices in American Politics | |
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September 05, 2007Stalin, Great Statesman?It's sad how often biographers come to identify with and idolize those they're studying. Think that happens before or after the study? Hat tip, Megan McArdle. Posted by Jon Kay at September 5, 2007 12:42 AMComments
I can't think of a more dismal reading/writing task than having to review a detailed hagiography on someone like Stalin. Posted by: Tully at September 5, 2007 05:21 PMI think you're mistaken Tully. Despite his venality, Stalin is probably one of the most interesting people in the 20th century. As dismal as the life of those who lived under Stalin, writing about him, with the footprint (or boot heel) he left on the 20th century, couldn't be any more dismal than the histories of Kim Il-Song or Saddam Hussein or Pinochet or Ferdinand Marcos. Stalin, betrayed by Hitler (no surprise)gets out of it by virtue of Russia being a combination of awfully cold in winter and being an eff'g huge coutry, and by not executing his best generals....yet. He left a Cold War legacy that ironically kept Europe in more peace than it had seen in centuries, albeit a very, very , nervous peace.
I won't argue that, Marcus, but I think you missed something. While Stalin is indeed interesting, it's the idea of writing a hagiography of him (as compared to a real biography) that would be so dismal. Unless you're Geoffrey Roberts. Or Walter Duranty. Posted by: Tully at September 7, 2007 12:09 AMNew word: Viagrophy--a tell-all account about a male celebrity's sexual escapades. Posted by: Tully at September 7, 2007 05:44 PMHmm....possibilities there..... Atrophography - wherupon lack of viagrophy leads to a sudden drop-off. Posted by: Marcus at September 10, 2007 01:29 AM |
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