---
product_id: 47851592
title: "The Commissar Vanishes: The Falsification of Photographs and Art in Stalin’s Russia New Edition"
brand: "david king"
price: "€ 103.08"
currency: EUR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
url: https://www.desertcart.sk/products/47851592-the-commissar-vanishes-the-falsification-of-photographs-and-art-in
store_origin: SK
region: Slovakia
---

# The Commissar Vanishes: The Falsification of Photographs and Art in Stalin’s Russia New Edition

**Brand:** david king
**Price:** € 103.08
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** The Commissar Vanishes: The Falsification of Photographs and Art in Stalin’s Russia New Edition by david king
- **How much does it cost?** € 103.08 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.sk](https://www.desertcart.sk/products/47851592-the-commissar-vanishes-the-falsification-of-photographs-and-art-in)

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## Description

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## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    A unique look at a fascinating subject
  

*by A***. on Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2017*

I first encountered this book many, many years ago, and found it absolutely fascinating. What artists and artisans were able to do, altering photographs and other "official" images before the advent of computers is remarkable in and of itself, akin almost to magic at the time. The book details everything about not only the politics and the process, but also highlights points of mystery- where gaps in knowledge and history still remain even to this day about some of these ghostly photograph alterations. If you are at all interested in the history of the Soviet Union, particularly of the Lenin/Stalin era, and the lengths they were willing to go to keep up appearances, then look no further. This book is sure to delight and fascinate. Further, I highly recommend this book as a means to engage students from 6th grade or so on up, as looking through the book and seeing the "before" and "after" images is a rather fun thing to do in both a classroom or educational club setting.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    An interesting look into the Soviet Union's leadership through photos
  

*by C***N on Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2015*

"The Commissar Vanishes" really shows just how insane the leadership structure and history of the USSR was.  David King has compiled a lot of photos, most of them consisting of pairs or sets of pre- and post-doctored versions, showing how Stalin attempted to erase his past rivals and lesser enemies of the state from history.  Fortunately, he failed, because many of these people's existences have been preserved here and elsewhere.King also writes descriptive captions for many of these photos, describing who the erased people were and why they were erased.  Figures range from the famous, like Stalin's arch-rival Leon Trotsky, to obscure provincial leaders caught up in Stalin's many purges.  King's captions also shed light on the characters of the many interesting figures of the Bolsheviks, backed with first-hand accounts.  Who knew, Lenin was an egotistical jerk who had no problem killing people for no real reason.  Of course, this theme is expanded upon greatly in the many photos involving Stalin and the purged officials who, one by one, disappear from photos with him.This is a great coffee table book for those with an interest in early 20th century, or for people who are a little bit morbid.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    An intriguing insight into Stalin's rule and his manipulation of the photographic record
  

*by S***Y on Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2017*

An exhaustively researched volume that makes for both a fascinating historical record of Joseph Stalin's rather Machiavellian rise to power and how he cemented his rule through carefully crafting the 'Stalin legend', including the manipulation of the photographic records of the time to either present himself in the most favourable light (even when at times he was not even present!!) through to brutally rewriting history to suit his narrative when former comrades fell foul of his paranoia by deleting their very images from photographs of political gatherings, Politburo meetings, etc.  The author has done astounding work in tracking down original unaltered prints of many such photos thought lost forever, that frequently present an entirely different picture of the power structures and key people during the Bolshevik Revolution and early years of the former Soviet Union.

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*Product available on Desertcart Slovakia*
*Store origin: SK*
*Last updated: 2026-03-17*