Putin: Russia's Choice

by Richard Sakwa

The new edition of this extremely well-received political biography of Vladimir Putin builds on the strengths of the first edition to provide the most detailed and nuanced account of the man, his politics and his profound influence on Russian politics, foreign policy and society. New to this edition:


analysis of Putin's second term as President more biographical information in the light of recent research detailed discussion of changes to the policy process and the elites around Putin developments in state-society relations including the conflicts with oligarchs such as Khodorkovsky review of changes affecting the party system and electoral legislation, including the development of federalism in Russia details on economic performance under Putin, including more discussion of the energy sector and pipeline politics Russia's relationship with NATO after the 'big bang' enlargement, EU-Russian relations after enlargement, and Russia's relations with other post-Soviet states the conclusion brings us up-to-date with debates over the question of democracy in Russia today and the nature of Putin's leadership and his place in the world.
Putin is essential reading for all scholars and students of Russian politics.

Genres: Russia, History, Biography, Nonfiction, Politics, Political Science

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Richard Sakwa (born 1953) is Professor of Russian and European politics at the University of Kent. He writes books about Russian and Eastern European communist and post-communist politics.

Sakwa is currently Professor of Russian and European politics at the University of Kent. From 2001 to 2007 he was also the head of the University's Politics and International Relations department. He has published on Soviet, Russian and post-communist affairs, and has written and edited several books and articles on the subject.

Sakwa was also a participant of Valdai Discussion Club, an Associate Fellow of the Russia and Eurasia Programme at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, a member of the Advisory Boards of the Institute of Law and Public Policy in Moscow and a member of Academy of Learned Societies for the Social Sciences.

Reviews

[Alyosha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rare unbiased look at the life of Putin, and though I consider him as no less involved in the evil bent of the world when juxtaposed with any other political leader, at least he's not a bumbling and effeminate bovine bloviating for social justice. Decent read for what it is.

[Becca Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A heavy academic slog.