How was Stalin a great military strategist or even good?

To me, Battle of Moscow puts that theory to rest. He forced Zhukov's hand and made him attack German forces which resulted in hundreds of thousands dead and a 2nd life for the Germans. That's an automatic dismissal from being considered any kind of good military strategist. Not only that, he killed some of his best officers out of paranoia. Does a great military strategist do that? Last time I checked a leader needs to know what is actually going on in the battles not yes-men that are too afraid to tell the truth.

There were examples of Stalin listening to Chuikov it in Antony Beevor's Stalingard. I believe it happened in Operation Little Saturn, but I can not remember the specifics. I can get you some quotes though just do not have the book (in library).

Ok, it was organized but not recognisable. Suggest you add headers.

yea - i copy and pasted it, and it came up messed up in the conversion.