Dear Friends,
In line with the theme and constant controversy surrounding Russian President, Vladimir Putin, I present here my recommendation for the latest book I read on the indomitable leader.
The Russian-American community has always been interested in the news concerning Putin and Putin’s Russia. Putin is a hot button issue in The Russian Insider Group , in particular, with many of its Members on the fence, praising or criticizing Putin.
Intrigue of Putin has piqued the interest of the American public as never before since the just passed US Presidential Election featured him prominently, making him the pink “bear” in the room. While the full role of Putin in meddling in the US elections is yet to be uncovered, his influence and interest in it is undeniable.
With the ushering in of the new era of Trump rule and the expected renewed close ties with Russia, Putin’s star power is only due to increase. Love him or hate him – his acumen, persistence in accomplishing his goals and the art of outmaneuvering or suppressing his foes is mindboggling and frightening.
Although much is said in legends about Putin, I have not seen a comprehensive biography on him that is interesting, intimate and trustworthy until I read “The New Tsar, The Rise and Reign of Vladimir Putin” by Steven Lee Myers. The author was a former Moscow bureau chief of the New York Times and has many sources inside the friends of Putin and his close circle of advisers, even ones in the FSB.
You will read about young boy Vladimir’s growing up in poverty, in Leningrad, in a family of a WWII veteran; his teenage years, much formed by his close experiences with his Jewish teachers, judo instructors, neighbors and friends – childhood friends who have enriched themselves with billions as a result of their lucrative association with the autocrat.
You will relive the collapse of the USSR empire through the eyes of the up and coming and ambitious KGB officer, a “catastrophe” as he later called it, that cemented his vision of a strong and independent Russia.
Finally, the book will carry you through Putin’s meteoric rise from a low level apparatchik in St.Petersburg to the “Tsar” of Russian Federation and one of the most influential people in the world.
Reading this book will help you understand Putin’s psyche and the psyche of the Russian people who have consistently elected Putin as their ruler and who consider Putinless Russia as unfathomable. As his supporters and detractors say , “Without Russia -there is no Putin and without Putin – there is no Russia”.
Enjoy the reading!
Michael Levitis, your indefatigable book reader and reviewer.