Putin

The explosive and extraordinary new biography of Russia’s leader

Vladimir Putin is a pariah to the West.

He has the power to reduce the West to nuclear ashes. He invades his neighbours, meddles in western elections and orders assassinations. Yet many Russians continue to support him. 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 Russia's leader and demolishes many of our preconceptions about Putin's Russia.

To explain is not to justify. Putin's regime is dark. But on closer examination, much of what we think we know about him turns out to rest on half-truths. This book is as close as we will come to understanding Russia's ruler.

Magisterial... based on access to a Who's Who of senior politicians, diplomats and intelligence sources.

Guardian

About Philip Short

Philip Short has written authoritative biographies including Mao: A Life and Pol Pot: History of a Nightmare, following a long career as a foreign correspondent for the BBC in Moscow, Washington and other world capitals.

He spent eight years researching and writing this book, working mainly from sources within Russia, but also in Britain, France, the United States and a dozen other countries.
Details
  • Imprint: Vintage
  • ISBN: 9781784700935
  • Length: 880 pages
  • Dimensions: 198mm x 50mm x 130mm
  • Weight: 676g
  • Price: £16.99
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