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Putin: Prisoner of Power

By: Dasha Lisitsina, Russell Finch
Narrated by: Misha Glenny
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  • Summary

  • On New Year's Eve 1999, a young Vladimir Putin appeared on Russian TV screens "” awkward, self-conscious... and the new President. Two decades later, Putin is still in power, standing self-assured and at ease on the world stage. How did a once little known KGB bureaucrat become one of the most dominant figures of twenty first century politics?

    In this gripping narrative history, Misha Glenny, journalist and best-selling author of McMafia, tells the story of an unexpected and swift rise to power "” one full of political intrigue, backroom deals, courtroom battles and war.

    Insider Kremlin accounts and well-known journalists reveal how Putin was first chosen by Yeltsin and the Oligarchy and how he then went head to head with Russia's richest man. After Putin had consolidated power he needed to stay in power. The second half of the series tells the story of how he took over the media, Crimea and increased the powers of the KGB. Finally, Misha considers what Putin might do next.

    Produced by Dasha Lisitsina, Executive Producer Russell Finch.
    A Somethin' Else production for Audible Originals.

    This is an Audible Original Podcast. Free for members. You can download all7 episodes to your Library now.
    ©2019 Audible, Ltd. (P)2019 Audible, Ltd.
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Episodes
  • Ep. 1: Rise of the Oligarch

    Ep. 1: Rise of the Oligarch
    Aug 19 2019

    The seeds of Putin's rise to power lie in a slightly unusual place: 1990s Moscow where, after 70 years of communism, "gangster capitalism" arrived.

    Here we tell the story of how a young graduate student at The Institute of Controlled Sciences became one of the richest men in Russia and the Kremlin's Power Broke - Boris Berezovsky.
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    27 mins
    Free with 30-day trial
  • Ep. 2: "Operation Successor"

    Ep. 2: "Operation Successor"
    Aug 19 2019

    In 1998, a big financial crash hit Moscow. President Yeltsin’s popularity plummeted. Boris Berezovsky and Yeltsin’s family started the search for a successor. Why did they choose Putin and how did they mould Putin into a President the nation could get behind?
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    25 mins
    Free with 30-day trial
  • Ep. 3: The President vs. The Power Broker

    Ep. 3: The President vs. The Power Broker
    Aug 19 2019

    As soon as Putin became President, he started eliminating his immediate rivals. First, Putin went after the very man who helped anoint him - Boris Berezovsky. Along the way, he seized control of the TV stations.
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    24 mins
    Free with 30-day trial
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Profile Image for Anonymous User

Excellent

Fantastic insight into the Russian leader. Only disappointment was that there wasn't more. Narrator excellent.

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Profile Image for NiteAngel

interesting

I struggled to get into this. however after I finished the first two episodes it became extremely interesting to hear about how the wheels of Russia turned. its not like you hear alot about it.
very interesting how Russia is now so dependent on Putin.

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

Comprehensive historical information

Loved it. As each part of Putins history was explained I was thinking "Ahhhhhhh. I remember that. That makes sense now."
Thank you.

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Profile Image for Adam

Riveting stuff

Lots of twists and turns, intrigue and suspence. Fascinating story that would interest many.

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Profile Image for Chris Fletcher

Brilliant

Every one needs to hear this and look up the Grozny wars . Gives you insight into this guy

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Profile Image for Andrew Meakin

good intro to who Putin is.

obviously difficult to pin down exactly what makes the leader of any nation, Russia especially, tick, but it's a good intro.
enjoyed it and now looking for more on the topic.

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Great starter to Kremlin policy

Great intro to Kremlin policy before the war in Ukraine. Interesting interview with insiders.

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  • PJ
  • 03-01-2021

engaging, insightful, very well presented.

thoroughly researched, to the point, and filled with lots of great vignettes, an excellent podcast - give it a listen.

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

Putin's Putin (the prequel)

this audio book was extremely interesting, well presented and left me wondering if Putin's Putin will come to be (hes already trying to change the laws) but it seems like hes at the limit of his ability - I had him down to try to take the world for his quest for power but I underestimated his limitations. Would be keen to hear other books about Russia's history

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Profile Image for Allison

a good insite for the novice Putin explorer

narrator was good nice n clear n not annoying in tone or pitch.meremorable bit the lady talking about going to opera an ending up being in fear for her life

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