Conversations With Stalin: A Yugoslav Vice President's Translated Memoir―Three Visits to Moscow

If you are looking at this book, you probably know about Djilasz, and may be aware of his groudbreaking annalysis of the communist political system. The value of this book for me: It is a first-hand, up close and personal account of Stalin, and his inner circle.

What happens when a young idealist has to deal with the Soviet system in his relations as a foreign representative. Djilas was a Yugoslav guerrilla who was chosen as a representative to the Soviet Union. In this series of meetings over a period of six years, his idealism is washed away and he becomes more pragmatic on the Communist system. Not only does he see Stalin for what he is, but he becomes cynical of the whole system. This is an interesting and quick read. One understands why Yugoslavia broke away from the Soviet orbit. It also shows Yugoslavia wanting to make Albania a part of its country. We now know what that would have caused. This shows an interesting perspective on the different perspectives each East European Communist government had. This book is slighty dated.

A SUPERB BOOK BY A MAN WHO WAS AN INSIDER AND CAME TO REALIZE, ALMOST TOO LATE, THE HORROR OF SOVIET COMMUNISM, EXEMPLIFIED BY STALIN. ONE CRITIC CALLED IT A CHARACTER ASSASSINATION, WHICH IS BEYOND RIDICULOUS. JOSEPH STALIN WAS PROBABLY THE GREATEST CRIMINAL OF THE 20TH CENTURY, A PURELY EVIL PSYCHOPATH WHO COULD HAVE CARED LESS ABOUT THE RUSSIAN PEOPLE. HIS ONLY CONCERN ABOUT WW II WAS THAT HE ALMOST LOST. NO, THIS IS JUST AN EXCELLENT CLOSEUP OF EVIL, DO READ IT.

The Soviet government under Stalin met during night for eating, drinking and discussion at his dacha near Moscow. Some of these gatherings were attended by Milovan Djilas and later reported on in this 1961 book. Djilas was once regarded as Tito's possible successor but in 1954 he went dissident. "Conversations with Stalin" focuses mainly at Djilas' personal views and feelings about leaders in the Soviet union and eastern European countries. Useful for everyone interested in Stalin, the Soviet union and Soviet–Yugoslavia relations.

I first read "Conversations," oh, about 40 plus years ago. In 1973, both the USSR and Yugoslavia (aka. Communist Lite) still existed. Djilas's observations of Stalin's mannerisms, cunning, personality and actions are still pertinent today. Anytime you read a detailed description by someone who goes from a true believer to the realization that his God has feet of clay...it is enlightening. I doubt that there are many folks out there who will actually read a book like Djilas',; let alone twice. So for those who read it years ago. My advice, pick it up and read it again. You won't be disappointed.

Since I lived in ex Yougoslavia, I knew the Djilas` biography quite well. I even read the minutes of the Central Committee`s session of the KPJ (Communist Party of Yougoslavia) when he was stripped of all his functions. There were only two individuals (his ex wife and Vladimir Dedijer) who said something in his favor. Very nice insight how all totalitarian systems function. Djilas was one of those rare persons, who dared to think with his own head and also had courage to make his opinion public. Therefore, we can believe that his description of Stalin is really sincere. And very interesting as well!

One of the best book about Stalin I've ever read. The insight of the author is so revealing about Stalin's true nature.

One of Djilas's best, a short description of Stalin and entourage during WWII.