This book, from the Geoffrey Roberts, Professor for history at Cork University (Ireland), focuses Stalin`s personal role in the major conflicts, the Soviet Union was involved in, during the time of his leadership, WW2 to the Korean War. Based on new sources from recently opened Russian archives the author draws a compressed picture of the politician, strategist and leader. 501 pages, size: 24.5 x 16.6 cm, first published in 2008, numerous contemp. illlustrations.