Harry Hopkins and Stalin (The American Magazine, 1941)

Bromance was in the air when Harry Hopkins (1890 – 1946) went to Moscow to meet Joseph Stalin (1876 – 1953) for their second meeting.

“I’ve tried to describe him for you. I’ve read it again and again and find it inadequate. Cordial – almost gentle – he’s as hard as the name he chose for himself: Stalin, or Steel. He bowed almost imperceptibly. He offered me one of his cigarettes and he took one of mine. He’s a chain smoker, probably accounting for the harshness of his carefully controlled voice. He laughs often enough, but it’s a short laugh, somewhat sardonic, perhaps. There is no small talk in him. His humor is keen, penetrating. He speaks no English, but as he shot rapid Russian at me he ignored the interpreter, looking straight into my eyes as though I understood every word that he uttered.”

Hopkins would be dead before the world would learn that Stalin was one of the history’s most murderous dictators. For reasons of secrecy, Hopkins said nothing concerning the topics discussed, but you may click here to learn more about the First Moscow conference.

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