Joseph Stalin Was Russia’s Greatest Bank Robber
From thief to Communist dictator
“The son of one of his hosts ran to his father to tell him that ‘Uncle Soso’ was ‘playing soldiers.’ When the incredulous host peered into the room, he found Stalin laying on the floor moving tin soldiers around the Tiflis map. Stalin looked up and boasted: ‘I’ve been appointed commander of the Party’s headquarters to devise the plan.’ He presumably planned his bank robberies with similar diligence.” — “Young Stalin” by Simon Sebag Montefiore
You’re likely well aware of history if you’re reading this. You know the name Stalin and know what he did in a broad sense.
Dictator, mass killer, and paranoid head of state are identities you think of when his name is spoken. But, how does a human being transform from the guy next door into the monstrous creature known as Stalin?
The answer to that question is slowly over time. A simple push, followed by another, and still another until mass murder and rule with an iron fist is acceptable. The Stalin you see in World War II and afterwards was built on the foundations of his previous identity — a bank robber and gang leader.
Stalin learned how to manage a gang, “appropriate” funds, and be ruthless in pursuit of money and ideals. You’d think money was an odd desire for a…
