Goodness, could anyone grasp just how great was the loneliness and trepidation of a little urchin who had suddenly ended up at the very top! This all-powerful ruler apparently lacked confidence in his position and felt that his authority was shaky. Due to that uncertainty, he had time and time again spilled Russians’ blood so that he could convince himself that his rule was secure, but his main aim was always to instill fear in others. The cycles of bloodshed among the population were a symptom of the paranoia which Joseph had suffered since his boyhood, and which grew worse year by year. In later years this paranoia was joined by manic depression. Uncertainty and doubt ate at the Great Leader like rust, poisoning him, stripping him of any peace, and driving away all sleep. Chronic insomni
