Description
Book SynopsisThe first English-language biography of Lazar Kaganovich, one of Stalin’s leading deputies, ‘Iron Lazar’ investigates the life of a man of key importance to the shaping of the Stalinist state. With its insight into the political and personal relations of the Stalin group, as well as its examination of this aspiring politician’s policy-making role during the Stalinist regime, ‘Iron Lazar’ investigates the previously undocumented life of Lazar Kaganovich, the last surviving member of the Stalin government and one-time heir apparent to the Soviet Union.
Trade Review‘This outstanding study draws on a vast range of published and archival material to provide a comprehensive account of the activities of this major Soviet politician.’ —Robert Davies, ‘Slavic Review’
‘Rees’s study is an excellent political biography of a leader who has all too often been dismissed or disparaged as a caricature.’ — Alison Rowley, ‘Canadian Slavonic Papers’
‘This is the definitive account of Kaganovich’s life. It is authoritative, well-researched, and an important contribution to the literature on the Stalin period.’ — Peter Whitewood, ‘Europe-Asia Studies’
‘This is an impressive book based on broad research and a sense for details. Because Kaganovich had such varied political experience, Rees is able to use his subject’s life as a vehicle to discuss a great number of developments in Soviet history generally. At the same time, Rees is able to give us a unique and compelling portrait of Kaganovich as a person, no mean feat when discussing Soviet politicians who did everything they could to hide their personal lives.’ —J. Arch Getty, University of California Los Angeles, ‘Revolutionary Russia’
‘Voici donc une solide biographie d’un personnage dont on savait toute l’importance dans la mise ne place du stalinisme... L’ouvrage fournit un nouvel éclairage sur ce personnage plus important en fin de compte que le “factotum” et “acolyte” de Stalin qu’il était aussi. Il ne laisse de côté aucune des inflexions des positions politiques de Kaganovic et de ses rapports avec les différents dirigeants… “Iron Lazar” est un très bon exemple d’un genre indispensable, celui des l’histoire des seconds couteaux.’ — Yves Cohen, Directeur d’études à l’Ecole des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales, ‘Cahiers du Monde Russe’ n° 52/4
Table of ContentsList of Figures; Introduction; Chapter 1. The Making of a Bolshevik, 1893–1917; Chapter 2. Red Terror and Civil War, 1918–1921; Chapter 3. Building the Monolithic Party, 1922–1927; Chapter 4. Ukrainian Party Boss, 1925–1928; Chapter 5. The Triumph of the Stalin Faction, 1928–1929; Chapter 6. Revolution from Above, 1928–1935; Chapter 7. Stalin’s Deputy, 1930–1935; Chapter 8. Moscow Party Boss, 1930–1935; Chapter 9. Boss of Rail Transport, 1935–1937; Chapter 10. Political and Social Revolution through Terror, 1936–1938; Chapter 11. The Man; Chapter 12. The Despot’s Creature, 1939–1953; Chapter 13. De-Stalinization and Nemesis, 1953–1991; Conclusion; Notes; Bibliography; Name Index; Subject Index
