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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
Epic, extremely well-researched nonfiction. As much a study of the New Russia as a biography of Putin himself. At times horrifying. An object lesson in how absolute power corrupts absolutely.
For almost 50 years the life of Vladimir Putin had nothing uncommon about it. He was a faithful student of the soviet educational system, a faithful member of KGB and of Soviet Russia, then a faithful servant of Anatoly Sobchak, the first democratically elected mayor of Saint Petersburg, and then, a faithful deputy and servant of Boris Yeltsin. Then, to the surprise of everyone, including Putin’s, he was nominated by Yeltsin as his successor. Unfortunately, Putin is not a democrat (like Yeltsin was) and his undemocratic ways found fertile soil in the Russian people. So almost overnight Putin became the most powerful man in Russia, then by consolidating and multiplying this power he became the head of the state with the most power in the world. Fortunately for Russians he loves Mother Russia more than anything in the world, but unfortunately for them and for the rest of the world, he identifies himself with his country, so every affront to him is one against Mother Russia and he believes that everything he feels and thinks is what Russia is feeling and thinking. He is clearly a dictator and what happens in Russia has nothing to do with democracy. But reading this book I was thinking that it could have been much worse. Can you imagine the world in which Donald Trump has in his hands as much power as Putin has in his right now?
challenging
dark
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
Appreciate this author putting all this together in a mostly easy to read format, parts of this book were overwhelming though
A must read for those interested in history and politics, Myers presents a thorough and well-written account of Putin's rise and reign, from his impoverished childhood in Leningrad to his improbable rise through the ranks of the KGB and subsequent entree into politics to his development of a cult of personality and absolute authority in Russia today. While the whole book is engrossing and I addictively read it in days, the best parts are the insights from Putin's friends and foes on his personality and policies; the conspiracy theories about his use of violence to suppress opposition; and (more lightly) his deeply secret personal life. The (unintentionally hilarious) pictures of him enclosed are also excellent.
Recommended read with a numerous historical snippets and stories that people who follow Russia will recall.
“Saakashvili— I’m going to hang him by the balls,” Putin seethed, startling the French leader. “Hang him?” he asked. “Why not?” Putin replied, sounding petulant. “The Americans hanged Saddam Hussein.” The only thing that seemed to temper Putin was Sarkozy’s asking him if he wanted to go down in history with a reputation like Bush’s."
“Saakashvili— I’m going to hang him by the balls,” Putin seethed, startling the French leader. “Hang him?” he asked. “Why not?” Putin replied, sounding petulant. “The Americans hanged Saddam Hussein.” The only thing that seemed to temper Putin was Sarkozy’s asking him if he wanted to go down in history with a reputation like Bush’s."
4.5/5
The New Tsar is a deep dive into the rise of Russian president Vladimir Putin. It shows Putin's rise from the KGB to his grand entrance into Russian politics. Whether you love or hate Putin, you have to marvel at the man's political genius. The way Putin used and abused his way to power is reminiscent of some of the most well known leaders and strategists of the past.
Basically, Putin had a plan and executed it to perfection. The way he used his position during the Boris Yeltsin presidency to portray himself as a strong and tough leader, especially during a time when tensions in Chechnya were simmering - is a reflection of the way Putin looks at politics like a game of chess.
This book also looks into the abuse of political power, corruption and eroding civil liberties in modern day Russia, since Putin came into power. The jailing of his critic Alexei Navalny in 2021 sums up perfectly Putin's reign!
The New Tsar is a deep dive into the rise of Russian president Vladimir Putin. It shows Putin's rise from the KGB to his grand entrance into Russian politics. Whether you love or hate Putin, you have to marvel at the man's political genius. The way Putin used and abused his way to power is reminiscent of some of the most well known leaders and strategists of the past.
Basically, Putin had a plan and executed it to perfection. The way he used his position during the Boris Yeltsin presidency to portray himself as a strong and tough leader, especially during a time when tensions in Chechnya were simmering - is a reflection of the way Putin looks at politics like a game of chess.
This book also looks into the abuse of political power, corruption and eroding civil liberties in modern day Russia, since Putin came into power. The jailing of his critic Alexei Navalny in 2021 sums up perfectly Putin's reign!
What kind of person is Putin? What’s his history? What’s happened in Russia since he has been in power? I really didn’t know, other than the snippets I read the news now and then about poison or Olympic doping or Crimea or election interference. So I decided I needed to read a book to fill in the gaps.
This book was the perfect choice. Though the book does not attempt to be completely unbiased (he calls Putin the “New Tsar” in the title), Myer does a good job staying balanced and pointing out when he moves into areas of speculation. He also manages to be comprehensive (on Putin’s life and Russia’s history during Putin’s life) while still keeping the book readable and interesting. I learned a lot and never lost interest.
I don’t think I’m giving anything away to say that the book confirms that Putin is basically a crime boss trying legitimize his actions under the false claim of democratic government. He’s been responsible or connected to some terrible things (poisoning, jailing or exiling the political opposition, dismantling the free press in Russia, killing journalists, election fraud, invading Crimea, shooting a passenger plane out of the air over the Ukraine, fostering and tolerating widespread corruption that has made him and his cronies obscenely rich, and on and on). For anyone who values democracy and a free press, I think this is an important book to read to understand how these things can be eroded and dismantled.
If you are going to read the book, you should know that it ends with coverage of the Boeing 777 passenger plane that Russia shot down over the Ukraine which means there is no discussion of Russia’s attempts to interfere with the 2016 US presidential election.
My only complaint about the book was the narrator. I listened to the book, and the narrator’s voice grated on me for the first couple of chapters until I got used to it.
This book was the perfect choice. Though the book does not attempt to be completely unbiased (he calls Putin the “New Tsar” in the title), Myer does a good job staying balanced and pointing out when he moves into areas of speculation. He also manages to be comprehensive (on Putin’s life and Russia’s history during Putin’s life) while still keeping the book readable and interesting. I learned a lot and never lost interest.
I don’t think I’m giving anything away to say that the book confirms that Putin is basically a crime boss trying legitimize his actions under the false claim of democratic government. He’s been responsible or connected to some terrible things (poisoning, jailing or exiling the political opposition, dismantling the free press in Russia, killing journalists, election fraud, invading Crimea, shooting a passenger plane out of the air over the Ukraine, fostering and tolerating widespread corruption that has made him and his cronies obscenely rich, and on and on). For anyone who values democracy and a free press, I think this is an important book to read to understand how these things can be eroded and dismantled.
If you are going to read the book, you should know that it ends with coverage of the Boeing 777 passenger plane that Russia shot down over the Ukraine which means there is no discussion of Russia’s attempts to interfere with the 2016 US presidential election.
My only complaint about the book was the narrator. I listened to the book, and the narrator’s voice grated on me for the first couple of chapters until I got used to it.
Very interesting and provides insights about what is going on with Russia and the US today.
A story about a power hunger man. Not sure if he really is a "bad' man. Just one that lost sight of normal life and became more and more focussed on ways to keep control over everything.
Making sure nothing and nobody had any means to block him from reaching his plans. Probably believes he did most things to improve the life of the proud people of -his- country. With nobody telling him to reflect on his actions.
Making sure nothing and nobody had any means to block him from reaching his plans. Probably believes he did most things to improve the life of the proud people of -his- country. With nobody telling him to reflect on his actions.