Hitler and Stalin

The Tyrants and the Second World War

By: Laurence Rees

Narrated by: John Sackville

"Laurence Rees brilliantly combines powerful eye-witness testimony, vivid narrative and compelling analysis in this superb account of how two terrible dictators led their countries in the most destructive and inhumane war in history."―Professor Sir Ian Kershaw, author of Hitler: Hubris and Hitler: Nemesis

Two 20th century tyrants stand apart from all the rest in terms of their ruthlessness and the degree to which they changed the world around them. Briefly allies during World War II, Adolph Hitler and Josef Stalin then tried to exterminate each other in sweeping campaigns unlike anything the modern world had ever seen, affecting soldiers and civilians alike. Millions of miles of Eastern Europe were ruined in their fight to the death, millions of lives sacrificed.

Laurence Rees has met more people who had direct experience of working for Hitler and Stalin than any other historian. Using their evidence he has pieced together a compelling comparative portrait of evil, in which idealism is polluted by bloody pragmatism, and human suffering is used casually as a political tool. It's a jaw-dropping description of two regimes stripped of moral anchors and doomed to destroy each other, and those caught up in the vicious magnetism of their leadership.

Critic reviews

"Laurence Rees brilliantly combines powerful eye-witness testimony, vivid narrative and compelling analysis in this superb account of how two terrible dictators led their countries in the most destructive and inhumane war in history."—Professor Sir Ian Kershaw, author of Hitler - Hubris and Hitler - Nemesis

"Presenting this complex history with his usual clarity, his latest study is an enthralling read, weaving many fresh eyewitness accounts into the narrative, offering new insights and commanding his reader's attention despite the huge scope of his task."—Julia Boyd, author of Travelers in the Third Reich

"A vivid and terrifying portrait of the twentieth century's two most brutal tyrants. His mastery of the subject shines through on every page. Provocative, gripping and full of fresh insights, Hitler and Stalin is narrative history at its very best."—Henry Hemming, author of Churchill's Iceman

"Via meticulous research and mesmerizing testimonies, Rees expertly reveals the 'malleability of the human mind'."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"In this fascinating study of two monsters, Rees is extraordinarily perceptive and original."—Sir Antony Beevor, author of Stalingrad.

“This excellent book for the general reader is shorter and gives an authoritative and very readable understanding of who Hitler and Stalin were and what they did.”—BookPage

"This richly detailed history powerfully documents the destruction that tyrants with utopian visions can inflict upon the world."—Publishers Weekly

“Rees is incredibly successful with this dual biography of the most notorious figures of the 20th century, focusing specifically on the war years.”—JulzReads

"Coming from one of the world's experts on the Second World War, this is an important and original - and devastating - account of Hitler and Stalin as dictators. A must read."—Professor Robert Service, author of Stalin: A Biography.

Interesting comparison of two tyrants

Well put together history of two tyrants/mass murderers. Had a little trouble hearing the narrator in noisier environments.

Great and in my opinion well balanced

A previous reviewer wrote that this work was biased against Stalin. This is not the case. In fact Rees tells an important but unfortunately all too often forgotten side of Stalins Russia in the war. Crucially, he is also nor an apologist for thr Germans. A couple oft quoted potential myths are recited but altogether this is an excellent work.

Excellent research

A very good insight into what is the mindset of those with absolute power

Excellent read

Breezed through it with the historical details and the eyewitness accounts mingled with reports, diary entries, official documents. It kept me engaged till the end and I started it right over.

Very insightful

I did not realize the utter devastation of the Russian people by both the German and their own government. I have read many accounts of what the Jewish people unfortunately went through. I feel for all of those who lived through WWII. this author provides a comprehensive overview of the incredible World War that is hopefully the last.