Episode · Behind the Bastards · 2024-04-09

Books mentioned on Part One: Beria: Stalin's Pedophile Cop & the Soviet Oppenheimer

3 books · With Joe Kassabian · Listen · Watch on YouTube

Robert sits down with Joe Kassabian to tell the sordid tale of Lavrentiy Beria, the head of Stalin's secret police, prolific sex criminal and ethnic cleanser, and nuclear weapon entrepreneur. https://

Robert Evans discussed Beria, Stalin's first lieutenant by Amy W. Knight, Beria by Amy Knight, and On Stalin's team by Sheila Fitzpatrick.

Books mentioned, in the order they came up

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  1. Beria, Stalin's first lieutenant

    Amy W. Knight · at 16:01

    Discussed
    “so here's how Knight describes lenti as an adolescent in the book Baria Stalin's first lieutenant”
    Where to get it
  2. Beria

    Amy Knight · at 16:11

    Discussed
    “So here's how Knight describes Lavrentiy as an adolescent in the book Beria: Stalin’s First Lieutenant, ‘Beria was a mediocre student, not excelling in any subject but considered cunning and devious.’”
    Where to get it
  3. On Stalin's team

    Sheila Fitzpatrick · at 53:00

    On Stalin's Team by Sheila Fitzpatrick is a historical work that explores the inner circle of Soviet leadership surrounding Joseph Stalin and the complex dynamics of power within the regime.

    Discussed
    “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!”
    Where to get it