Real Dictators: BONUS Episode - Dictators’ Books

Real Dictators is an award-winning podcast by NOISER that delves into the hidden lives of history's tyrants. In the bonus episode titled "Dictators’ Books," host Duncan Barrett engages in a profound conversation with author Daniel Calder. This detailed summary captures their exploration of dictator literature, shedding light on the personal and political nuances embedded within these often obscure writings.

Introduction to Dictators’ Literary Pursuits

The episode commences with Duncan Barrett introducing Daniel Calder, the author of The Infernal Library (also known as Dictator Literature: A History of Bad Books by Terrible People). Calder has dedicated years to unearthing and analyzing the literary works produced by various dictators, aiming to understand the minds behind their tyrannical regimes.

Calder’s Obsession with Dictator Literature

Calder shares his journey into the realm of dictator literature, highlighting a pivotal moment in the early 2000s when he encountered the Ruhnama, a book authored by Turkmenistan's dictator. This discovery ignited his decade-long obsession. He recounts:

"I think I managed to find it online. And this was in the days of dial-up. And I remember downloading it page by page so I could read it. And it was quite weird and terrible, but in an equal measure." (02:04)

Calder's fascination was further fueled by his visit to Turkmenistan in 2006, where he witnessed the pervasive presence of the Ruhnama in public spaces, cementing his belief that dictator literature was a living tradition rather than a relic of the past.

Accessing and Preserving Dictators’ Writings

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the accessibility of these works. Calder notes the disparity in availability:

"The Rukhnama is not as easy to get hold of now and Ruhnemar volume 2 is very difficult." (05:20)

He contrasts easily accessible writings like Lenin's extensive publications, maintained by dedicated Soviet institutes, with the scarcity of works from lesser-known dictators such as Clement Gottwald of the Czech Republic. This variance underscores the fleeting nature of dictator literature, which often vanishes once a regime collapses.

The Nature and Quality of Dictators’ Writings

Calder delves into the diversity of dictator writings, which range from political tracts to poetry and novels. He emphasizes that the quality varies significantly:

"Mussolini probably was an actual writer, you know, so I think it's quite well known. Mussolini was a journalist by profession and very successful journalist and very successful editor." (08:13)

While some leaders like Mussolini demonstrated genuine literary skill, others produced works that were more propagandistic and less engaging. Calder highlights Hitler's Mein Kampf as an example of unstructured, hate-filled rhetoric, contrasting it with Stalin's dry and controlled writings.

Emotional and Psychological Insights

Reading dictator literature often evokes discomfort and a sense of interacting with pure evil. Calder reflects on this complex emotional landscape:

"Sometimes yeah, and I mean that's a good question." (07:04)

He explains that while some works, especially those written during periods of turmoil, reveal glimpses of the dictators' vulnerabilities and insecurities, others maintain a cold, monolithic facade. This duality offers readers a window into the psychological underpinnings of these tyrants.

Case Study: Saddam Hussein’s "Zabiba and the King"

A significant segment of the episode is dedicated to Saddam Hussein's novel, Zabiba and the King. Calder provides an in-depth analysis, describing it as a romance set in early Islamic history. The novel serves as an allegory, potentially symbolizing America's influence, yet it contains bizarre and gratuitous elements that reflect Saddam's troubled psyche:

"There's a lot of strange bits in it. So even if you read it as an allegory, the detail about rape is quite out there." (13:42)

Calder posits that the novel offers a rare glimpse into Saddam's loneliness and desperation, portraying him as a leader who, despite his formidable power, experiences profound vulnerability:

"You know, it's easy to denounce, but it's interesting to understand." (19:13)

This portrayal humanizes Saddam to an extent, emphasizing the importance of understanding the personal dimensions of dictators to grasp the full scope of their tyranny.

The Legacy and Impact of Dictators’ Literature

Calder discusses how dictator writings often become almost sacred texts within their societies, used as tools of indoctrination and control. However, their legacy is fleeting, as new regimes typically discard previous rulers' works. He underscores the paradox of these works being both widely distributed during dictatorship and quickly erased post-fall.

Recommendations and Final Thoughts

Towards the episode's conclusion, Calder offers guidance for listeners interested in exploring dictator literature. He recommends Mussolini's War Diary as a relatively accessible and readable example, while cautioning against delving too deeply due to the often distressing content:

"If you're just curious and wanted to read one that didn't cause too much pain, I say Mussolini's War Diary is quite short and quite readable." (23:26)

Calder emphasizes that while these works are historically significant, they are not generally recommended for casual reading due to their challenging nature.

Conclusion

This bonus episode of Real Dictators provides a compelling exploration of dictator literature through Daniel Calder's insightful analysis. By examining the writings of tyrants like Lenin, Stalin, Mussolini, and Saddam Hussein, the episode sheds light on the complex interplay between literature and authoritarian power. Calder's work underscores the importance of understanding these texts not just as propaganda tools, but as windows into the minds of some of history's most notorious figures.

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