The Second World War saw Germany and the Soviet Union compete in some of the biggest and bloodiest clashes of the entire conflict. These two rival nations were ruled by two of history’s most well-known figures.
Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin had differing forms of leadership. While Hitler aimed to rule through charisma, Stalin’s regimented rule was sustained by fear. Although they viewed the world in contrasting ways, they were both willing to sacrifice liberty, life and even the truth in order to help drive their vision.
In this insightful talk, Laurence Rees tackles popular misconceptions about these men, using first-hand accounts from those who actually worked for them.
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About the speaker
Laurence Rees is the author of several acclaimed books on the Second World War and is a former Head of BBC TV History programmes. His work includes the television series and bestselling books The Nazis: A Warning from History, Auschwitz: The Nazis and the ‘Final Solution’, World War II: Behind Closed Doors and The Dark Charisma of Adolf Hitler. In 2017, his book The Holocaust: A New History, was a Sunday Times bestseller.