Why people recommend it
On Stalin's Team is a historical work by Sheila Fitzpatrick that examines the dynamics, relationships, and inner workings of Joseph Stalin and his closest associates. On Behind the Bastards, the host noted that Sheila Fitzpatrick, author of On Stalin's Team, prefers the word team to describe the group surrounding the Soviet leader, though she also notes that alternative terms are available. The host explained that the Russian word komanda is highlighted in the text to reflect this concept. In a previous episode of the same podcast, the host mentioned On Stalin's Team as one of several source books utilized for the research, alongside works by Knight and Sangster, describing it as a resource focused on the entire gang around Stalin. Both podcast segments illustrate how Fitzpatrick's research serves as a valuable historical roadmap for understanding the complex power structures and personal dynamics of the Soviet regime. The host relied on Fitzpatrick's insights to unpack the intricate relationships within Stalin's inner circle, offering listeners a detailed look at the individuals who wielded immense power under his rule.
Who recommended it
Mentioned on the show without a named speaker — 2
“Uh, Sheila Fitzpatrick, author of 'On Stalin's Team,' which is a book about said team, prefers this word; she uses the term team, but notes, 'quote, alternatives are available.'”
“And I've got like a couple of different quotes from these or books that I use for this: Knight's book, Sangster's book, another book called 'On Stalin's Team' that I use a lot later that's about like the whole gang around Stalin. Yeah, there's a little bit of Stalin hype house!”