The Last Days of Stalin

by Joshua Rubenstein

Overview

A gripping account of the months before and after Joseph Stalin’s death and how his demise reshaped the course of twentieth-century history.

Joshua Rubenstein’s riveting account takes us back to the second half of 1952 when no one could foresee an end to Joseph Stalin’s murderous regime. He was poised to challenge the newly elected U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower with armed force, and was also broadening a vicious campaign against Soviet Jews. Stalin’s sudden collapse and death in March 1953 was as dramatic and mysterious as his life. It is no overstatement to say that his passing marked a major turning point in the twentieth century.

The Last Days of Stalin is an engaging, briskly told account of the dictator’s final active months, the vigil at his deathbed, and the unfolding of Soviet and international events in the months after his death. Rubenstein throws fresh light on

• the devious plotting of Beria, Malenkov, Khrushchev, and other “comrades in arms” who well understood the significance of the dictator’s impending death;
• the witness-documented events of his death as compared to official published versions;
• Stalin’s rumored plans to forcibly exile Soviet Jews;
• the responses of Eisenhower and Secretary of State Dulles to the Kremlin’s conciliatory gestures after Stalin’s death; and
• the momentous repercussions when Stalin’s regime of terror was cut short.

“A fascinating and often chilling reconstruction of the months surrounding the Soviet dictator’s death.” —Saul David, Evening Standard (UK)

“A gripping look at the power struggles after the Red Tsar’s death.” —Victor Sebestyen, The Sunday Times (UK)

“Stalin’s death in March 1953 cut short another spasm of blood purges he was planning, but triggered only limited Soviet reforms. To some Westerners it promised an extended period of peace, but others feared it would leave the West even more vulnerable. Joshua Rubenstein’s lively, detailed, carefully crafted book chronicles a key twentieth-century turning point that didn’t entirely turn, revealing what difference Stalin’s death did and didn’t make and why.” —William Taubman, author of Khrushchev: The Man and His Era

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780300216769
Publisher:	Yale University Press
Publication date:	06/24/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	307,176
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Joshua Rubenstein is an associate of the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University. He lives in Brookline, MA.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments vi

Introduction viii

1 The Death of Stalin 1

2 A New Purge 35

3 Stalin's Paranoia and the Jews 56

4 The Kremlin Moves On 96

5 The Surprise of Reform 124

6 A Chance for Peace? 146

7 The End of the Beginning 189

Epilogue 222

Notes 230

Select Bibliography 251

List of Illustrations 254

Index 256

Editorial Reviews

"Convincing . . . fascinating."—Rosemary Sullivan, Wall Street Journal

"Joshua Rubenstein, in his vivid, brisk account, describes the months on each side of Stalin’s death to give the reader a sense of the significance of this turning point."—Robbie Millen, Times

"[Stalin’s] last days make a dramatic story, and Rubenstein tells it well."—Sheila Fitzpatrick, The Guardian

“Meticulously researched.”—Masha Gessen, NewYorker.com

"A fascinating work."—Amy Lewonstin, Library Journal

"Intriguing."—David Mikics, Tablet

"Joshua Rubenstein tells a gripping tale of the year around Stalin’s death, including revealing previously unknown details of the trial of the Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee and Stalin’s version of the Final Solution, the Doctors’ Plot."—Brett M. Rhyne, The Jewish Advocate

"A compact, chilling account."—Harvey Blume, Arts Fuse

"Engaging . . . highly recommended."—D. J. Dunn, Choice

"This book will be most valuable to readers with an existing interest in Soviet history but seeking a detailed narrative of this crucial moment in the history of the dictatorship."—E. Thomas Ewing, Russian Review

"A clear, sober and emotionally powerful narrative that brings to life the last years of Joseph Stalin’s rule, showing vividly how the death of the tyrant changed Soviet and international politics and brought relief to millions of his existing and potential victims, and first and foremost the Soviet Jews."—Serhii Plokhy, author of The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine
 

"Based on a plethora of primary Soviet sources, Rubenstein has produced a persuasive and well-written account of the convoluted time that followed Stalin's death in March 1953. He discusses the complex succession politics in the Kremlin and provides much new information. Rubenstein also explores Eisenhower's and Dulles' disinterest in taking up Churchill's proposals to exploit the 'narrow window of opportunity' to embark on constructive negotiations with Moscow once Stalin had gone. This is an enlightening and important book."—Klaus Larres, author of Churchill's Cold War: The Politics of Personal Diplomacy

"Stalin’s death in March 1953 cut short another spasm of blood purges he was planning, but triggered only limited Soviet reforms. To some Westerners it promised an extended period of peace, but others feared it would leave the West even more vulnerable. Joshua Rubenstein’s lively, detailed, carefully crafted book chronicles a key twentieth-century turning point that didn’t entirely turn, revealing what difference Stalin’s death did and didn’t make and why."—William Taubman, author of Khrushchev: The Man and His Era

From the Publisher

“Engaging. . . highly recommended.”—D. J. Dunn, Choice

Choice - D. J. Dunn

“A compact, chilling account.”—Harvey Blume, Arts Fuse

The Arts Fuse - Harvey Blume

“[Stalin’s] last days make a dramatic story, and Rubenstein tells it well.”—Sheila Fitzpatrick, Guardian

The Guardian - Sheila Fitzpatrick

‘Joshua Rubenstein’s extremely interesting account of the ailing Stalin’s last days draws upon personal memoirs and new research - and conveys the deep fear inculcated during “the Black Years of Soviet Jewry”. ’ - Colin Shindler, Jewish Chronicle

Jewish Chronicle - Colin Shindler

“Joshua Rubenstein tells a gripping tale of the year around Stalin’s death, including revealing previously unknown details of the trial of the Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee and Stalin’s version of the Final Solution, the Doctors’ Plot.”—Brett M. Rhyne, The Jewish Advocate

The Jewish Advocate - Brett M. Rhyne

“Intriguing.”—David Mikics, Tablet

Tablet - David Mikics

“Joshua Rubenstein’s account of Stalin’s death and the responses to it is very well done… an accessible and engaging book.”—Geoffrey Roberts, Irish Times

Irish Times - Geoffrey Roberts

“Joshua Rubenstein, in his vivid, brisk account, describes the months on each side of Stalin’s death to give the reader a sense of the significance of this turning point.”—Robbie Millen, Times (London)

Times (London) - Robbie Millen

“Convincing, . . . fascinating.”—Rosemary Sullivan, Wall Street Journal

Wall Street Journal - Rosemary Sullivan

04/15/2016
In portraying the period of Soviet history during Joseph Stalin's (1878–1953) final years, Rubenstein (associate director of major gifts, Harvard Law Sch.; Leon Trotsky: A Revolutionary's Life) successfully pens a fascinating work of the conflicts among Stalin's team; a group aware of their leader's serious physical and mental health issues. There is much emphasis on the rise of anti-Semitism during this time, along with details of the Doctor's Plot, an alleged conspiracy of prominent medical specialists to murder leading government and party officials. Rubenstein also considers a wide variety of historical sources concerning a plan to remove Soviet Jews from the country. More historical background on Stalin's later period and the tensions within his inner circle are covered in Sheila Fitzpatrick's On Stalin's Team: The Years of Living Dangerously in Soviet Politics. Yet, the strength of Rubenstein's discussion is the impact of Stalin's death on the West. The author details the conflicts faced by president Eisenhower's administration, informing readers of the larger historical forces of the time. VERDICT With this brief work, Rubenstein adeptly covers an interesting period of history with clear writing and rich source material. Recommended for readers of world history.—Amy Lewontin, Northeastern Univ. Lib., Boston

Library Journal