Kapuscinski does not have aconstant companion on his journeys and there is no regular figure of import that is living in every period in the book. However, of all the people and peoples mentioned in the book, none receive more analysis of mention that Josef Stalin (1878-1953) who was the dictator of Russia form 1924 to 1953. Stalin brought massive changes to Soviet society through forced and rapid industrialization, purging leaders from the Communist party, repressing all dissenters and imposing terror upon everyone under his rule. A cult of personality surrounded Stalin, who was worshipped as a God for decades.