A review by sonofatreus
The New Tsar: The Rise and Reign of Vladimir Putin by Steven Lee Myers
4.0
A good biography that covers, in fair detail right up to the immediate months after the annexation of Crimea in 2014. It is especially good at establishing Putin's character and motivations early in life and after the collapse of the Soviet Union. This then better explains his actions as President from 2000-2008, when he first began creating for himself a circle of trusted associates. His background as a KGB agent, and work during the Cold War, also makes clear his attitudes toward foreign governments, particularly western ones, of which he is extremely suspicious and cautious.
My only complaints with the book are that occasionally it steps out of chronological order (2 months before the election...3 months before the election...2 months before...etc.). This doesn't happen often, but when it does it was noticeable to me.
The other thing, probably not the fault of the author, is how quickly it moves through the years 2012-2014, when he became President again. A lot happened in these years (Crimea, Ukraine, protests, Sochi) and it is all covered, but it goes through without spending too much time explaining how Putin's reactions to these events led to the kleptocratic state there is today. Still, overall this is a good biography, with well-written and detailed prose, complete with endnotes.
My only complaints with the book are that occasionally it steps out of chronological order (2 months before the election...3 months before the election...2 months before...etc.). This doesn't happen often, but when it does it was noticeable to me.
The other thing, probably not the fault of the author, is how quickly it moves through the years 2012-2014, when he became President again. A lot happened in these years (Crimea, Ukraine, protests, Sochi) and it is all covered, but it goes through without spending too much time explaining how Putin's reactions to these events led to the kleptocratic state there is today. Still, overall this is a good biography, with well-written and detailed prose, complete with endnotes.