Stephen Kotkin, 'Stalin: Volume I'

In the first volume of a planned three-volume life, Kotkin, Princeton history professor and acting director of the university’s Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies program, and Hoover Institution research fellow, shows his subject’s evolution from one-time seminarian to ruthless dictator, linking the man’s traits—paranoia, brutality—to those of both imperial Russia and the Bolshevik power structure.

[ronnestman]

Kotkin is my new addiction. Love listening to him lecture.

He wears his considerable knowledge lightly and is a riveting speaker.

[henryrusch]

Absolutely remarkable. Without doubt, Stephen Kotkin is one the great historians of our, perhaps all, times because of his devotion to archival sources, his resistance to second hand information, and therefore his determination to analyze history from all sides and come forward to wherever the truth, as he knows it at that moment, may lead.

Thank you for making this talk, and many others, available on You Tube.

[johnniebee]

he's got a good sense of humor, refreshing to see in this type of lecture

[brianrajala]

Listening to Stephen Kotkin is a great way to understanding the politics of the world we live in!

[TalkernateHistory]

He's a lot more funny and charming than I would have expected. I really really like the way he speaks

[paulleverton]

This guy's hilarious.
I don't know how his students listen to his lectures without cracking up.

[grumpyoldman]

A.J.P. Taylor (the great British historian) wrote that "the best history is when the reader turns the pages wanting to know what happens next". Stephen Kotkin easily meets that criteria. (UK)

[svendbosanvovski]

Its not just a monumental work, but certainly a candidate for the best biography ever written and we are only now at volume 2. He brilliantly contextualises Stalin, acknowledging his achievements and his frightening brutality. Waiting for volume 3 is like waiting for the next season of Game of Thrones. It's utterly enthralling.

[jetpromys]

This is such a great lecture series, I've watched it several times. As many have said, I love Kotkin's humor and insights.

[thomasjorge]

Imagine, getting into a NYC taxi-cab and have the driver start talking like this?
The only response: Take me to L.A.

[chantillylee]

I have just discovered Professor Kotkin, wonderful! My new favorite.

[analitykiemzycia]

Prof. Kotkin is not only a great author. He's the best expert on Stalin. besides that, as seen here, he's a versatile guy with humour. We are very lucky to have him. He's world class. He is a giant amongst men.

[jcrios]

"Mao basically spits in Khrushchev's face". Professor Kotkin

[arbiter]

1:03:40 I can’t find Loto Katsveli on the internet.

[rogerwilco]

Kotkin knows his stuff. He also does the best Joe Pesci impression this side of Jim Bruer.

[DavidErdody]

This video introduced me to Kotkin. Thank you P&P!

[alcoholfree]

Kotkin is amazing! I’m not in his league but as a person takes a subject and just studies the heck out of it, such as he has done, so many insights become available. Kotkin does it over and over; the true fruits of scholarship. I’ve watched this several times and have started reading his first volume on Stalin. It’s a lot of fun!

[garretttedeman]

Very good stuff. A lot of background & context on important history.

Here on YouTube I've watched Stephen Kotkin give about ten different versions of these presentations about his books and they're always great.
36:45
This guy has been in attendance for almost all of them and he always asks questions.
Surely Kotkin must recognize him each time, I wonder why he doesn't address it? Does anyone know who he is?