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Putin

By: Philip Short
Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
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Publisher's Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

Vladimir Putin is a pariah to the West.

Alone among world leaders, he has the power to reduce the United States and Europe to ashes in a nuclear firestorm and has threatened to do so. He invades his neighbours, most recently Ukraine, meddles in Western elections and orders assassinations inside and outside Russia. The regime he heads is autocratic and corrupt.

Yet many Russians continue to support him. Despite Western sanctions, the majority have been living better than at any time in the past. By fair means or foul, under Putin's leadership, Russia has once again become a force to be reckoned with.

Philip Short's magisterial biography explores in unprecedented depth the personality of its enigmatic and ruthless leader and demolishes many of our preconceptions about Putin's Russia. Since becoming president in 2000, his obsession has been to restore Russia's status as a great power, unbound by Western rules. What forces and experiences shaped him? What led him to challenge the American-led world order that has kept the peace since the end of the Cold War?

To explain is not to justify. Putin's regime is dark. He pursues his goals relentlessly by whatever means he thinks fit. But on closer examination, much of what we think we know about him turns out to rest on half-truths.

This audiobook is as close as we will come to understanding Russia's ruler. It also makes us revise long-held assumptions about the course of global politics since the end of the Cold War.

©2022 Philip Short (P)2022 Penguin Audio

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excellent

good narration, and well spread chronology.
Enjoyed the way this audiobook refreshed historical events without being monotonous

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Outstanding

Narrator was great his range is amazing, great effort keeping flow throughout the whole story

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1 person found this helpful

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A Captivating Book

I found this book very interesting and at the same time rather disturbing throughout.

Putin is one of the most influential leaders of his generation and his rise to power is truly a remarkable achievement and story in of itself.

His mindset is undoubtedly Russia first, second and third in all areas of human endeavour. It’s a patriotic mindset i cannot fault. However i just wish he would make rational logical choices that were truly in the interests of his country rather than his own megalomaniac desires. Unfortunately that is not the case as the Ukrainian people and many others can, sadly, testify.

Geopolitically, The USA has a lot to answer for, its arrogant treatment of Russia post Cold War is why Ukraine is now suffering. Nations who follow the US lead are also culpable, especially those in NATO and the Five Eyes. US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ.

And so here we are, Putin is at war, worldwide security is at risk, polities and economies are destabilising as inflation speeds us all towards what will be an unprecedented recession, pandemic rages and the effects of climate change continues unabated. Humanity take a bow.

Unpacking this mess may well be beyond the leadership capacity of those in the corridors of power to resolve. The West seems to be preparing for War, the East is following a similar path. It’s all rather frightening really, disturbingly so. The optimist in me prays for a peaceful outcome, the realist in me says i am being terribly naïve.

Any book that can provoke deep reflection is a gem to be treasured. I reckon this is a great book and is well worth reading. The author has done a very good job bringing this biographical discourse to the public. 5 stars from me🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

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Understanding the man without biases

Thank you for your years of putting this together! One of the most important books of our current time!

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I have very much enjoyed this book

This book was recommended to me by a friend I very much enjoyed the book.

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Fascinating and reasonably balanced

Very interesting (and topical) biography of Putin. Very detailed during his time as Deputy Mayor of St Petersburg and during his first term as President. Rushes a bit towards the end. Pretty balanced, but does try to make excuses for his behaviour at times.

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Busterbaddog

Was a long haul but quite an interesting book. Unfortunately too many Russian names to remember but a interesting perspective of Putin and his government worth the time if global politics interest you I learnt a lot about post ww2 Europe and America also

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insightful

provide the logic behind Putin's actions including his primary driver of maintaining a support network regardless of the corruption that must be allowed.

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Putin-the-goodness-in

This Putin book is so good that if Putin wanted to find out more about Putin, he would read this book about Putin, so we’ll done, we’ll researched and we’ll organises it really is great

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