Conversations With Stalin Paperback – September 25, 1963

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.

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.

Milovan Djilas gives us a first class account of the relationship existing between the Soviet Union and other communist countries (Yugoeslavia, Bulgaria) immediately before the ending of WWII. Djilas as a high ranking Yugoeslav communist had also the privilege to be member of the delegations which met with Stalin and other high Russian Nomenklatura members (Molotov, Beria, Zhdanov, etc.). Djilas depicts with vivid interest the caracters of those Soviet leaders who managed the destiny of millions of the then called “popular democracies”. A highly recommendable book for anyone interested in the history of the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe at the end of the forties.

Good reading and applicable to current events, provided one keeps in mind when the book was written, which was decades ago.

This book is Djilas's reflection of his interactions with Stalin and other Russian officials during 1943-48. The famous Yugoslav dissident argues that the Soviet political structure is based on the personal dictatorship of Stalin. The Soviet state thus tolerated no dissent and alternative voices that may shake the absolute authority of Stalin. A nationalist-communist, Stalin proposed a realist and imperialist foreign policy. Russian control was often the sole goal of Moscow in the international stage. Any action to counter Soviet influence was deemed counter-revolutionary and reactionary. The author gives a detailed story of his encounter with the Russian tyrant and the arrogance of Moscow bureaucrats. This work illustrates the dark and exploitative nature of the eastern bloc under Soviet control. Extensive knowledge of Eastern European communist movement needed.

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!

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.

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.

The book is a 1961 recollection of three visits to Russia, which included several meetings with Stalin in the period of 1943 to 1948, written by Milovan Djilas, a then leading Yugoslav communist. Djilas, who wrote the book inbetween two stints in jail over no longer toeing the party line, does an excellent job of combining both the rapture of the meetings from his 1940s perspective, as well as the sobering effect that both the meetings, as well as his later experiences had.The book is perhaps not the most useful source of historical info on the period, or even of a comprehensive understanding of Stalin's character but it does form a good puzzle piece to get a 'rich picture' understanding of the Yugoslav-Soviet relationships at the time, as well as of how Moscow operated from a foreign Communist movement's point of view.Djilas peppers the book with his impressions of leading characters of the time, from Dimitrov (Comintern & Bulgarian Communist leader), to Khruschev, Beriya, Molotov, various leading figures of the Yugoslav communist movement (Hebrang does not a good character reference get; Tito, Kardelj and Rankovic are not explicitly assessed, though) and these impressions are certainly one of the strengths of the book.At the same time, he describes some of his disenfranchisement with the Soviet approach and the slowly developing disillusionment of many aspects of the communist ideals or more precisely, of the implementation thereoff (especially the Soviet kind).The author does not hide his fascination with Stalin as a character, although it is never without reservations. The late night dinner events, filled with thrusts and parries, probing and other means used by the Soviet leadership to further their goals. At the same time it is interesting to see the creeping insularity of the Soviet leadership, the toadying going on in front of Stalin, the gradual senility setting in...Overall a much recommended book, made all the better by the ease with which it can be read (not quite a page turning thriller but reasonably gripping nevertheless). If you are interested in getting a more comprehensive picture of the period, of the Soviet-Yugoslav relationships of the time, the idea of a Bulgarian / Yugoslav / Albanian union, or a personaliy illustration of some key figures, the book is a valuable addition to your library.

Very interesting read.

Some insight into the workings of the yugoslav communist party during the war in regard to its relation to Moscow.The author's personal sentiments come as quite naive ...

Ausgezeichnete Analyse der Misere der Sovietunion/Rußland. Gilt alles leider noch heute wie zu Stalins Zeiten

Interesting subject but very boring account of interactions between the author and Stalin.