Very large and massive, measuring 15 ½" x 12" x 2 ½" and weighing over 13 lbs. Hard cover bound in dark burgundy leatherette, with the original sown-in silk bookmark ribbon. Published by the State Publishing House of Political Literature. Special paper was manufactured by the paper factory of the Leningrad Mint. Five major printing factories participated in the creation of this publication.

The tome is heavily illustrated with b/w and color photos, drawings, paintings, diagrams, and maps, some of which are fold-outs.

It is not easy to find the right words to define, or even

Very large and massive, measuring 15 ½" x 12" x 2 ½" and weighing over 13 lbs. Hard cover bound in dark burgundy leatherette, with the original sown-in silk bookmark ribbon. Published by the State Publishing House of Political Literature. Special paper was manufactured by the paper factory of the Leningrad Mint. Five major printing factories participated in the creation of this publication.

The tome is heavily illustrated with b/w and color photos, drawings, paintings, diagrams, and maps, some of which are fold-outs.

It is not easy to find the right words to define, or even describe, what this book is. One thing we can say with certainty is that it is nothing like the concise biography of Stalin published the same year. This edition of his biography is the quintessence of the cult of Stalin's personality, presenting every known detail of his biography with a level of adoration and worship incomprehensible to a "normal" average person. It oozes from every word, retouches every photo and, most importantly, is absolutely disinterested in the truth.

In very good condition. The leatherette of the hard cover could not possibly withstand the weight and size of the tome for long, and has acquired a few scuffs along the edges and at the corners. Luckily, the volume is more than large enough to make this wear look insignificant. Strangely, the publishers decided to use gold paint instead of goldleaf to coat Stalin's name on the cover and spine. The paint is a little worn off on the spine but is still about 90% present and quite visible. On the cover, each letter of Stalin's name is embossed in 3D relief, and the paint is 100% intact.

The internal pages bear traces of many hands turning them over the years. Fortunately, the soiling is minimal and not very obvious. We found only one nickel-sized stain that is easily noticeable. We also found two tears at the bottom of the page, on two different pages. One of them is short and does not reach the text, the other is a bit longer and reaches the bottom line or two of the text. Neither rip is gaping open, and we hesitate to recommend repair as it will probably make the damage more visible. The special paper, manufactured for this publication, has weathered the decades exceptionally well, showing barely any age toning, and that mostly to the edges of the textblock. The binding is tight and strong.

This volume will make an invaluable tool for future psychologists and psychiatrists when the Stalin Era is sufficiently removed from the present to attempt analyzing it. As for now, it will be the crown jewel of any collection of Soviet memorabilia and an inexhaustible conversation piece for history buffs.
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