Super Short Summary

In his biography The Death of Stalin, Georges Bortoli reconstructs the final months and weeks of Joseph Stalin using writings and interviews with those close to him, detailing his illness, paranoia, and the political purges he orchestrated until his death on March 5, 1953. The book covers Stalin's early revolutionary activities, rise to power, implementation of brutal policies, and significant historical events such as the Great Purge and the Doctors' Plot. The narrative also discusses Stalin's final days, marked by his deteriorating health and unyielding suspicion, culminating in his demise amidst growing tensions within his inner circle. The book addresses topics of political repression, antisemitism, and mass violence.