Inside the Stalin Archives

Yesterday evening, Russian television viewers awaited results of a nationwide vote for greatest historical figure. Medieval hero Alexander Nevsky came in at number one. In third place, with more than a half-million votes, was Josef Stalin. His 31-year reign left an estimated 20 million people dead, but many Russians still praise his strong hand in shaping Soviet industry and defeating Hitler. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin recently approved a textbook used in schools across Russia that highlights Stalin’s achievements. Stalin was never held to account for his crimes. There was no Nuremberg trial and no truth and reconciliation commission for the leader who sent not only enemies, but close allies to their deaths.

Jonathan Brent is an editor at Yale University Press, publisher of the 20-volume Annals of Communism series. Inside the Stalin Archives is Jonathan Brent’s personal story of the 16 years he spent driving the project. From 1992 to 2008, he met with archive directors, former KGB agents, researchers and bureaucrats to unlock millions of documents left behind from the Soviet era. In the process, he witnesses a new Russia taking shape.

Jonathan Brent joins us on Word of Mouth to discuss his work and modern Russia.