A superb work of research and ferreting around in the archives, with tons and tons of previously unknown facts about Stalin, and a detailed look at his early life and how that made him the man he became. Makes extensive use of often previously unpublished memoirs of people intimately involved with Stalin and his activities over this period of his life. Yet I found this book disappointing. I found finishing it a 'chore' rather than a pleasure, because I was left feeling you couldn't see the wood for the trees. There is so much detail, and so many references to events and peoples' views of Stalin, that I was left wondering what really were the significant events in his early life. A significant work of research, but I found it a disappointing read.