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Just yesterday I published a post on a book I read on the life of Stalin the Soviet Dictator. A horrific picture of how one man and his cronies can destroy a country and its people in the name of some illusion called Bolshevism. Just a few hours later another blogger Susan S. Prufrockdilemma.wordpress.com published a very good post on the Russian Composer Dimitri Shostakovich who died in 1975 and lived through the Stalinist dictatorship and managed barely to survive the purges. Stalin played cat and mouse with him, harassing and belittling the great composer. In 1936 at the height of the purges when millions were shot or disappeared on Stalin’s orders, Shostakovich was on tender hooks, he too could be arrested and shot. He composed at that time his 4th symphony, when I listen to it I think of a spiral taking you down and down. This was his way of resisting Stalin, he will go on writing many other symphonies, he is one of my favourite composers. Stalin did not always like what he wrote but Shostakovich manage to survive, a miracle in itself.
I believe that it is important not to forget what happened in the 20th century, the great dictators, the various political regimes either Fascist or Communist, the two world wars, the Cold War, Nuclear Arms race, we inherited all that and the World should remember. It is also important to understand those events not just in passing.
So my review of the book on Stalin got a comment from someone who thought I should read more light stuff like Barbara Cartland. I was a little surprised by the comment. Am sure it was all meant in good fun. Light reading is just not my style.
I’d stick to what you like. If you’ve never read Barbara Cartland, it isn’t what I would call light.
JP
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“A horrific picture of how one man and his cronies can destroy a country and its people in the name of some illusion” – Did I miss your post on Donald Trump?
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Trump will be elected (hopefully not) by white uneducated lower middle-class men and women. He appeals to them. His policies will accelerate the demise of the USA. This is why is election is not or should not be possible.
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I agree Larry as a child growing up in the Cold War I will never forget the Goverment information films after the nightly news about what to do in the event of nuclear war and how to wrap and tag your dead family members. As a twelve year old lying in bed at night planning what I would do in my last four minutes alive after hearing the sirens was beyond devastating.
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I love what you read..gives me ideas about maybe giving it a shot…
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Who is Barbara Cartland?
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You told me she was your favourite author after Jung. You knew her in some previous life. Also you are suppose to recommend some light reading for me. Please send your list of wonderful reads. NO Dickens please.
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Your wish is my command.
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