Reply #9: I've often thought of this [View All]

[gator_in_Ontario]

ever since * seized power. It brings to mind a book I read some years ago entitled:
VESSELS OF RAGE, ENGINES OF POWER: The Secret History of Alcoholism (1994)

In this book, " Graham identifies many prominent historical figures who were addicted to alcohol including Alexander the Great, Ivan the Terrible, Peter the Great and Henry VIII. Among modern Americans he names Henry Ford II, Huey Long and Joseph McCarthy. His climactic chapter on Stalin follows a carefully developed argument, backed by many examples, in favor of alcoholism as the root cause of a wide range of destructive behavior including rampant egomania, betrayal of close colleagues, malicious accusations, and serial murder."
(emphasis mine)

http://www.mlode.com/~ra/ra8/alcoholism.htm

I may re-read this one....