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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
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.
so long, so detailed, but so very interesting and informative. reads pretty easily considering the dense subject matter
Comprehensive. A thorough and appreciably balanced look at VV Putin's rise to power.
Thoroughly enjoyed, but a slightly uneven level of detail and from the end of the second term through PM'ship there was a noticeable rise in the financial and network detail that bogged down the overall presentation. As said, a very comprehensive and seemingly well-researched work.
Very readable and recommended as an overall survey of recent (30 yrs) Russian political history with an obvious focus on explaining the evolution of Putin's approach and thinking.
Thoroughly enjoyed, but a slightly uneven level of detail and from the end of the second term through PM'ship there was a noticeable rise in the financial and network detail that bogged down the overall presentation. As said, a very comprehensive and seemingly well-researched work.
Very readable and recommended as an overall survey of recent (30 yrs) Russian political history with an obvious focus on explaining the evolution of Putin's approach and thinking.
Steven Lee Myers did a superb job with The New Tsar! I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to get into the mindset of one of the world's most influential leaders, whether you love Russian President Vladimir Putin or hate him. Myers draws on his years as a New York Times journalist in Russia, his access to key elite figures in Russian society, and well-placed Kremlin contacts to trace Putin's personal story and his rise as the steward of a resurgent, and often at odds with the West, Russia.
I felt that Myers was objective throughout his account, juxtaposing key events in recent Russian history to Putin's life experiences. The New Tsar details Putin's transformation from a more or less accidental leader to Russia's indispensable man, one who has increasingly linked his country's national interests to himself. Myers expertly contextualizes Putin's growing insular leadership style and his preference to surround himself with other like-minded and deeply suspicious Russian hardliners.
Most importantly, Myers' account of Putin's life is an excellent backdrop to how Russia's relations with some Western countries, especially the United States, have deteriorated so badly in recent years. For anyone looking to better understand the state of play between Russia and the West, and Russia's recent initiatives in world affairs, this book is an absolute must read.
I felt that Myers was objective throughout his account, juxtaposing key events in recent Russian history to Putin's life experiences. The New Tsar details Putin's transformation from a more or less accidental leader to Russia's indispensable man, one who has increasingly linked his country's national interests to himself. Myers expertly contextualizes Putin's growing insular leadership style and his preference to surround himself with other like-minded and deeply suspicious Russian hardliners.
Most importantly, Myers' account of Putin's life is an excellent backdrop to how Russia's relations with some Western countries, especially the United States, have deteriorated so badly in recent years. For anyone looking to better understand the state of play between Russia and the West, and Russia's recent initiatives in world affairs, this book is an absolute must read.
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
A very detailed look at Russian President Vladimir Putin. The details can be overwhelming and tedious at times but necessary to paint a picture of why and how the enigmatic Putin thinks and makes his political decision. The only downside of this biography is Myers always looks at Putin through the lens of a Westerner. Myers also takes great strides to put forth the viewpoint of a number of his detractors. It would have been refreshing to hear more of how the average Russian thought of Putin.
If anything, Steven Lee Myers is able to lift the veil of obscurity surrounding Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. Elaborating in extreme detail his ancestry, background, rise within the KGB, personal affairs, and slow transition and imminent rise within the political realm. Myers also delves deep into how Putin changed the heavily privatized nation of Russia under Boris Jeltsin incrementally to a market reform and capitalist revolution, by means of appointing friends and contacts (oligarchs and bankers) of multi-billion corporations in crucial (governmental-)positions. All in all, Meyers succeeded greatly and in striking detail to depict and portray Putin, in all of its extremities.
Considering the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and especially the recent horrific war (or ‘demilitarizing intervention’, as Putin labels it) in Ukraine - if you want to grasp and understand even 1% of the corrupted, fixed and relentless mind of Putin and his loyal following, you will need to read this book.
Considering the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and especially the recent horrific war (or ‘demilitarizing intervention’, as Putin labels it) in Ukraine - if you want to grasp and understand even 1% of the corrupted, fixed and relentless mind of Putin and his loyal following, you will need to read this book.
all reviews in one place:
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: This is a magnificently detailed book on Vladimir Putin, the current dictator of Russia, and a war criminal. From young days, high ambitions, to vanity, and corruption that set in ever deeper, having not been allowed to die in the first place. So, history repeats itself, led over, and over again, by the same man, as he done in Chechnya, as he done in Syria, as he does now in Ukraine.
My Opinion: It’s scary to read. Russians flooded the streets in protests, and met a soviet ghoul. It choked them out in its web of rotten shroud, criminal laws, censorship, followed by lies, propaganda. Scary to read of the same events, to a word, that have happened years ago, and mere days ago. Such as mining of humanitarian corridors, bombing just to claim it was an internal act of terror, and that’s why they’re there, fighting now. And even sanctions. Yes. Sanctions have been used before.
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: This is a magnificently detailed book on Vladimir Putin, the current dictator of Russia, and a war criminal. From young days, high ambitions, to vanity, and corruption that set in ever deeper, having not been allowed to die in the first place. So, history repeats itself, led over, and over again, by the same man, as he done in Chechnya, as he done in Syria, as he does now in Ukraine.
My Opinion: It’s scary to read. Russians flooded the streets in protests, and met a soviet ghoul. It choked them out in its web of rotten shroud, criminal laws, censorship, followed by lies, propaganda. Scary to read of the same events, to a word, that have happened years ago, and mere days ago. Such as mining of humanitarian corridors, bombing just to claim it was an internal act of terror, and that’s why they’re there, fighting now. And even sanctions. Yes. Sanctions have been used before.
This book is just too long for such an unhappy subject. I got through chapter 9, and that's enough. Why should I give 16 more hours of my life to this guy? I know what I wanted to know. I'm done.
informative
slow-paced