Geoffrey Roberts

Geoffrey Roberts, emeritus professor and expert on Soviet military history, gives a concise portrait of Marshal Georgy Zhukov. He traces Zhukov’s rise from peasant roots to commanding massive wartime offensives. Conversations cover Zhukov’s decisive battles, tactics like maskirovka, his political ups and downs, and debates over his leadership and costs of victory.

Experts in historical narratives with political agendas, Geoffrey Roberts, Alexander Mercouris, and Glenn Diesen, discuss the manipulation of historical narratives for political gain. They explore Putin's use of history in relation to Ukraine, the divisions and political agendas surrounding the Second World War narrative, and the risks of political rhetoric in Ukraine. The podcast highlights the importance of understanding different historical narratives and the damaging effects of distorted representations of the past.

Geoffrey Roberts, author of Stalin’s Library, discusses the intriguing world of Stalin's personal book collection and the unique insights it provides into his thoughts and worldview. They explore Stalin's favorite authors, his reading habits, and the relevance of understanding his intellectual side to comprehend his actions as a dictator. The chapter also highlights surprising discoveries made while studying his library and the importance of supporting the SRB podcast.