Synopses & Reviews
An internationally distinguished team of historians of Nazism and Stalinism provide a summary of the most up-to-date research and offer new perspectives on issues linking the two most terrible dictatorships of modernity. Three selected themes are explored: the leadership cults of Hitler and Stalin; the "war machines" engaged in the deadly clash of 1941 to 1945; and the ways in which interpretations of the past have shifted in Germany and Russia since the demise of the dictatorships.
Review
"All the contributions are of value...." Walter Laquer, Slavic Review"...this book is a very useful, carefully done, sound, and provocative addition to the debates about the nature of revolutionary, ideological dictatorship...." Daniel Chirot, American Journal of Sociology"The editors of the volume are to be congratulated in getting past the political objections to comparing Nazism and Stalinism." Norman M. Naimark, American Historical Review
Synopsis
Several distinguished historians present the first comprehensive comparison of Nazism and Stalinism.
Table of Contents
Preface; Introduction: the regimes and their dictators: perspectives of comparison; Part I. The Two Dictatorships: 1. Stalin and his Stalinism: power and authority in the Soviet Union 1930-1953 Ronal Suny; 2. Bureaucracy and the Stalinist state Moshe Lewin; 3. Cumulative radicalisation and progressive self-destruction: structural determinants of the Nazi dictatorship Hans Mommsen; 4. 'Working towards the Führer': reflections on the nature of the Hitler dictatorship Ian Kershaw; 5. The contradictions of continuous revolution Michael Mann; Part II. The War Machines: 6. The economics of war in the Soviet Union during World War II Jacques Sapir; 7. Stalin, the Red Army, and the great patriotic war Bern Bonwetsch; 8. From Blitzkrieg to total war: controversial links between image and reality Omer Bartov; Part III. The Big Debates: 9. Work, gender and everyday life: reflections on continuity, normality and agency in twentieth century Germany Mary Nolan; 10. From 'Great Fatherland War' to the Second World War: new perspectives and future prospects Mark von Hagen; 11. German exceptionalism and the origins of Nazism in the career of a concept George Steinmetz; 12. Stalinism and the politics of post-Soviet history Mark von Hagen; Conclusion.