We have discussed villains in the works of Poul Anderson, SM Stirling, Ian Fleming and Stieg Larsson;
therefore, we have mentioned Beria as an off-stage villain in the first James Bond novel;
meanwhile, we have also discussed the instability of a totalitarian regime in a Poul Anderson story;
therefore, in the combox, Mr Stirling mentioned the shooting of Beria as a turning point in the Soviet Union.
I couldn't make this stuff up but fortunately I don't have to!
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
Yes, I agree the violent intrigues occurring after the death of Stalin did mark a turning point in Soviet history. The ruling Nomenklatura agreed among themselves not to use such terrorist methods on THEMSELVES. The losers in power struggles would not be shot, merely stripped of power. Thus, when Khruschev fell from power in 1964, he was not shot but simply relegated to obscure retirement.
Sean
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