Stalin offers an accessible and up-to-date representation of one of the twentieth century's defining figures, as well as new insights, analysis and illumination to deepen our understanding of his actions, intentions, and the nature of the power that he wielded. In addition to a detailed narrative and analysis of Stalin's rule, chapters also cover his early years, his role in the revolution, his relationships with Lenin, Trotsky and others in the 1920s, and his rise to become one of the most powerful figures in human history. The book closes with an account of Stalin's afterlife and legacy, both in the immediate aftermath of his death and in the decades since.