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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
informative
medium-paced
The Russo-Ukranian crisis is not a new one, although its come to a head in recent months. This book does a great job of explaining post-Soviet Russia and Putin’s popularity. Told through the eyes of many people in the industrial region of Chelyabinsk, Russia, this book does a great job of depicting Russia from the inside out. I’m giving it 4 stars because so much of the time I was hoping that the chapter wouldn’t end, that I would get to learn more about the people being highlighted. I would recommend this book to those who have an understanding of early post-Soviet Russia and Putin’s rise to power. This book doesn’t explain history, it’s a people-centric telling of Putin’s support and the deep hurt the masses have faced over the years.
Putin Country: A Journey into the Real Russia is an incredibly interesting account of the "real" Russia, a Russia in which corruption is a fact of life and support for Putin is surprisingly high. Garrels invites her readers on a journey through Chelyabinsk, where she talks about everything from religion, the rise of HIV/AIDS, and family life to self censorship and domestic nuclear disasters.
For anyone wanting insight into Russia's political system and culture, this book is a must.
For anyone wanting insight into Russia's political system and culture, this book is a must.
dark
reflective
fast-paced
Although often partial, an interesting testimonial from a journalist.
Interestingly but strangely uneven. That could be because Garrels’ reporting was spread across many years. In addition, Garrels’ distaste for Putin and his government is a bit full-on at times (although certainly justified).
Dispatches exploring a range of topics. Potentially paradigm shifting.
Written by a former NPR foreign correspondent, this book focuses on a city in central Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union. She visited numerous times from 1993 to the present and interviewed many of the same people throughout that time period, wanting to present a side of Russia outside of Moscow and St. Petersburg. She chronicles the rampant corruption and the stories she shared made it all seem more real and concrete. Despite the title, it doesn't really focus directly on Putin, although there were stories of people forced to prove they voted for him or lose their jobs or scholarships.
Most of the book is more about what life is like for a central Russian and how they view America and the West. Many of them think that their lives are similar to most Americans who don't live in NYC or LA. There were a few stories of Russians who came to America and were shocked by the abundance outside those areas. One student came to Florida and realized how positive Americans are compared to Russians. She said that Russians tend to accept corruption and challenges as just life while in America we have more hope.
I knew Russia had a drug and alcohol problem but was surprised to read that 25 percent of Russian men die before 55 mainly due to alcoholism. Russia has half the population of the US but the same number of drug addicts. Women are pressured to have kids because the birthrate is falling and emigration is high. They created "generous" maternity leave policies but these have caused employers to not want to hire women or hire them only under the table, making things worse for women. Politicians, including females, encourage women to look the other way when their husbands have affairs, refuse to work or are alcoholics and have more babies anyway because that's just how men are. It's completely insane.
Reading about the hospitals was also crazy. Many were built by the Soviets and the buildings don't connect. Patients have to travel from building to building through the snow. They don't have good supplies and reuse disposable gloves. I had just read a. article by a former NHL player who moved to Russia to play hockey and when he had to have his drug tests at a hospital the nurse was smoking while examining him! And there were no separate areas for the ER and a guy was just bleeding all over the waiting room. Last year. Not during the 80s or something.
Despite all that the book did offer some hope. Many of the people she talked to are trying to change things. For example she talked to someone who started a school for kids with disabilities and who is trying to convince people to keep their disabled children, who are typically sent to orphanages. Russian bloggers are trying to fight corruption. I could go on and on but this is a short book and you should just check it out.
Most of the book is more about what life is like for a central Russian and how they view America and the West. Many of them think that their lives are similar to most Americans who don't live in NYC or LA. There were a few stories of Russians who came to America and were shocked by the abundance outside those areas. One student came to Florida and realized how positive Americans are compared to Russians. She said that Russians tend to accept corruption and challenges as just life while in America we have more hope.
I knew Russia had a drug and alcohol problem but was surprised to read that 25 percent of Russian men die before 55 mainly due to alcoholism. Russia has half the population of the US but the same number of drug addicts. Women are pressured to have kids because the birthrate is falling and emigration is high. They created "generous" maternity leave policies but these have caused employers to not want to hire women or hire them only under the table, making things worse for women. Politicians, including females, encourage women to look the other way when their husbands have affairs, refuse to work or are alcoholics and have more babies anyway because that's just how men are. It's completely insane.
Reading about the hospitals was also crazy. Many were built by the Soviets and the buildings don't connect. Patients have to travel from building to building through the snow. They don't have good supplies and reuse disposable gloves. I had just read a. article by a former NHL player who moved to Russia to play hockey and when he had to have his drug tests at a hospital the nurse was smoking while examining him! And there were no separate areas for the ER and a guy was just bleeding all over the waiting room. Last year. Not during the 80s or something.
Despite all that the book did offer some hope. Many of the people she talked to are trying to change things. For example she talked to someone who started a school for kids with disabilities and who is trying to convince people to keep their disabled children, who are typically sent to orphanages. Russian bloggers are trying to fight corruption. I could go on and on but this is a short book and you should just check it out.
challenging
informative
slow-paced
Anne Garrels gives us a very detailed look of the people living in Russia. Garrels delivers a different side of Russia that isn't reported in the media.
This was an okay read.
I am not the biggest fan of history, but this was well written and had a great journalistic research aspect to it.
Learned a lot!
3.4/5
I am not the biggest fan of history, but this was well written and had a great journalistic research aspect to it.
Learned a lot!
3.4/5