I came here to suggest foundations, but Dess and FC already did. Essentially, Stalin summarizes Lenin’s important works into one book, changes very little, and makes Leninism easier to understand. I read it before reading Lenin, and IMO it helped me bridge gaps between actions and positions of the USSR with the positions of Marxism-Leninism under Lenin and Stalin.
I came here to suggest foundations, but Dess and FC already did. Essentially, Stalin summarizes Lenin’s important works into one book, changes very little, and makes Leninism easier to understand. I read it before reading Lenin, and IMO it helped me bridge gaps between actions and positions of the USSR with the positions of Marxism-Leninism under Lenin and Stalin.
Thanks for explaining the book !