Il libro nero del comunismo

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When first published in France in 1997, this work ignited significant controversy that persists today. Chief editor Stéphane Courtois's assertion that Communism, in all its forms, is morally equivalent to Nazism drew criticism, even from some contributors. He argued that both totalitarian systems excelled at killing rather than governing, as history has shown. Courtois and his fellow historians detail the staggering death toll attributed to Communism: 25 million in Russia during the Bolshevik and Stalinist periods, approximately 65 million in China under Mao Zedong, 2 million in Cambodia, and millions more across Africa, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. This propensity for violence, they argue, is not coincidental but a fundamental aspect of a philosophy that sought to eliminate class distinctions by erasing the classes themselves. The book meticulously documents the crimes of Communism, moving through various countries and revolutions, presenting figures that are likely to spark debate among historians and ideologues alike. Courtois provocatively suggests that those who admire figures like Lenin, Trotsky, and Ho Chi Minh are unwitting supporters of a violent ideology that, while in decline, still retains followers. This work serves as a thought-provoking exploration of history and social criticism, deserving of wide readership and discussion.