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No One Man Should Have All That Power: How Rasputins Manipulate the World
An exploration of infamous, controversial figures and how they exert control.
Amos Barshad has long been fascinated by the powerful. But not by elected officials or natural leaders—he’s interested in their scheming advisors, the dark figures who wield power in the shadows. And, as Barshad shows in No One Man Should Have All That Power , the natural habitat of these manipulators is not only political backrooms. It’s anywhere power dynamics exist—from Hollywood to drug cartels, from recording studios to the NFL.
In this wildly entertaining, wide-ranging, and insightful exploration of the phenomenon, Barshad takes readers into the lives of more than a dozen of these notorious figures, starting with Grigori Rasputin. An almost mythical Russian mystic, Rasputin drank, danced, and healed his way into a position of power behind the last of the tsars. But not every one of these figures rose to power through lechery or magical cures. Barshad explores how they got there, how they wielded control, what led to their downfall or staved it off, and what lessons we can take from them, including how to spot Rasputins in the wild.
Based on interviews with well-known personalities like Scooter Braun (Justin Bieber’s manager), Alex Guerrero (Tom Brady’s trainer), and Sam Nunberg (Trump’s former aide) and original reporting on figures like Nicaragua’s powerful first lady Rosario Murillo and the Tijuana cartel boss known as “Narcomami,” No One Man Should Have All That Power is an eye-opening book from an exciting new voice.
Amos Barshad has long been fascinated by the powerful. But not by elected officials or natural leaders—he’s interested in their scheming advisors, the dark figures who wield power in the shadows. And, as Barshad shows in No One Man Should Have All That Power , the natural habitat of these manipulators is not only political backrooms. It’s anywhere power dynamics exist—from Hollywood to drug cartels, from recording studios to the NFL.
In this wildly entertaining, wide-ranging, and insightful exploration of the phenomenon, Barshad takes readers into the lives of more than a dozen of these notorious figures, starting with Grigori Rasputin. An almost mythical Russian mystic, Rasputin drank, danced, and healed his way into a position of power behind the last of the tsars. But not every one of these figures rose to power through lechery or magical cures. Barshad explores how they got there, how they wielded control, what led to their downfall or staved it off, and what lessons we can take from them, including how to spot Rasputins in the wild.
Based on interviews with well-known personalities like Scooter Braun (Justin Bieber’s manager), Alex Guerrero (Tom Brady’s trainer), and Sam Nunberg (Trump’s former aide) and original reporting on figures like Nicaragua’s powerful first lady Rosario Murillo and the Tijuana cartel boss known as “Narcomami,” No One Man Should Have All That Power is an eye-opening book from an exciting new voice.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published April 9, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 26, 2019
One downside of cramming books on a deadline is that if I don't write the review of a book before book club, then I never want to write it at all, because I've already talked out all my thoughts. Thus, I have committed myself to informing Goodreads that I have read Amos Barshad's No One Man Should Have All That Power: How Rasputins Manipulate the World, and I should probably jot down a few thoughts so that in five years when someone asks me if I've read it and I say "Yes" and they say "What did you think?" I can look it up, but I don't really want to.
Part of this is also because it wasn't a hugely memorable book. Barshad's criteria for what constitutes Rasputinism works fine as a framing device but it's not really a mind-expanding bit of political theory. The book is mostly just Barshad interviewing a bunch of people whose jobs involve influencing other people, from music producers to political aides, and then going off to Moscow to have slightly surreal adventures visiting the historical Rasputin's apartment.
Many of the bits of the book were quite interesting or quite entertaining, even if they don't all fit together into one work very well. There's a chapter about a female newspaper reporter and a female narcotrafficker which sounds like the basis for a kickass TV show; the chapter on Tom Brady's masseuse/personal quack doctor is also pretty bananas, although there's also a Sawbones episode about him that I think is slightly stronger. The chapter on the "Rasputinism" of editors certainly provides a bit of insight into why the book is so loosely edited, as well.
The strongest parts of the book were the bits about the actual historical Rasputin. The weakest bit was about Steve Bannon. I've read entirely too many profiles of Steve Bannon, and there are basically two kinds: Ones where the profiler is suckered into being impressed with Bannon's having read multiple books in his 65 years of befouling God's green earth just because he can pretentiously string a bunch of references together, and the one where that doesn't happen. Barshad, I regret to report, has fallen into the trap of describing Bannon as "crazily" well-read just because he can name-drop a handful of racist occultists. Meanwhile, yours truly here is still waiting for even one credulous journalist to show up and write a fawning profile of me as an evil genius, and I've been able to spout bollocks about bigoted old occultists since I was 15. (I could probably spout bollocks about Evola specifically these days, too, and I haven't actually read him yet.)
On the other hand, I didn't realize until reading this book that the song "Ra Ra Rasputin" sounds like '70s disco because it actually is '70s disco, not a recent attempt at sounding retro, so perhaps I am too dim to talk to journalists even if they inexplicably wanted to talk to me.
Overall I feel this book was mostly worth my time only because of book club, which featured bacon and egg cups, apples with brie and garlic jam, and cider cocktails. Also I made scones.
Originally posted at Russia's greatest love machine.
Part of this is also because it wasn't a hugely memorable book. Barshad's criteria for what constitutes Rasputinism works fine as a framing device but it's not really a mind-expanding bit of political theory. The book is mostly just Barshad interviewing a bunch of people whose jobs involve influencing other people, from music producers to political aides, and then going off to Moscow to have slightly surreal adventures visiting the historical Rasputin's apartment.
Many of the bits of the book were quite interesting or quite entertaining, even if they don't all fit together into one work very well. There's a chapter about a female newspaper reporter and a female narcotrafficker which sounds like the basis for a kickass TV show; the chapter on Tom Brady's masseuse/personal quack doctor is also pretty bananas, although there's also a Sawbones episode about him that I think is slightly stronger. The chapter on the "Rasputinism" of editors certainly provides a bit of insight into why the book is so loosely edited, as well.
The strongest parts of the book were the bits about the actual historical Rasputin. The weakest bit was about Steve Bannon. I've read entirely too many profiles of Steve Bannon, and there are basically two kinds: Ones where the profiler is suckered into being impressed with Bannon's having read multiple books in his 65 years of befouling God's green earth just because he can pretentiously string a bunch of references together, and the one where that doesn't happen. Barshad, I regret to report, has fallen into the trap of describing Bannon as "crazily" well-read just because he can name-drop a handful of racist occultists. Meanwhile, yours truly here is still waiting for even one credulous journalist to show up and write a fawning profile of me as an evil genius, and I've been able to spout bollocks about bigoted old occultists since I was 15. (I could probably spout bollocks about Evola specifically these days, too, and I haven't actually read him yet.)
On the other hand, I didn't realize until reading this book that the song "Ra Ra Rasputin" sounds like '70s disco because it actually is '70s disco, not a recent attempt at sounding retro, so perhaps I am too dim to talk to journalists even if they inexplicably wanted to talk to me.
Overall I feel this book was mostly worth my time only because of book club, which featured bacon and egg cups, apples with brie and garlic jam, and cider cocktails. Also I made scones.
Originally posted at Russia's greatest love machine.
May 11, 2019
This was an enjoyable exploration of Rasputin characters in many different worlds and contexts. I appreciated diving into the world's of music and short stories. The longer sections on Rasputins in politics and near recent world leaders was not as repetitive as I thought it would be. There were nuggets of insight that I hadn't gained from simply paying attention to the news. A very fun and short read that left me wanting more from some of the smaller worlds Amos introduced me to, which is probably the perfect place to leave me.
April 7, 2019
No One Man Should Have All That Power is a headlong race through the history of Rasputinism–the power of being the power behind the “throne” in government, music, film, and sports. Amos Barshad identifies seven principles of a Rasputin. They control others, their control is controversial, eliciting enemies. They have a larger personal agenda. They control only a few, powerful people. They work behind the scenes and lack the ability to carry out their plans on their own.
With a breezy wit, Barshad races through the real Rasputin, the various Rasputins of popular culture and history, and circles back to the historic Rasputin once again, this time going beyond the history written by his murderer, to a more nuanced and true history. Perhaps even Rasputin is no Rasputin.
No One Man Should Have All That Power is an enjoyable overview of the various people who have found power through other people’s talents and power. This makes perfect sense with the wannabes of politics and government. However, when he suggests that great editors, directors, or music producers are Rasputins, that they are the power “behind” the throne, I think he misunderstands those art forms. Who is more powerful than a great director. Stanley Kubrick was a greater power and will be known farther into the future than Tom Cruise, no matter how much he got Cruise to do for him. Great music producers put the artist with the song and the musicians that produce magic the singers cannot achieve on their own. And editing is an art form, it is not proofreading, it goes far beyond that. Gordon Lish made more than one writer better than he was. These people were artists in their own right, powers on their own particular thrones.
Even though I thought his thesis was little more than a good hook to hang a story on and a great excuse to travel and interview people, I enjoyed his breezy style and his stories of the manipulative and their victims. He suggests no one who wants to be Rasputin can succeed with Trump, suggesting no one can manipulate him long term. He looks at Kushner and Bannon, but he really should have looked Mick Mulvaney. He does not make the mistake of claiming to control Trump, but he controls Trump. I thought the book was enjoyable, but scratching the surface, looking at the obvious, and missing the real thing.
No One Man Should Have All That Power will be released April 9th. I received a copy from the publisher through Shelf Awareness.
No One Man Should Have All That Power at Abrams Books
Amos Barshad author site
★★★★
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpre...
With a breezy wit, Barshad races through the real Rasputin, the various Rasputins of popular culture and history, and circles back to the historic Rasputin once again, this time going beyond the history written by his murderer, to a more nuanced and true history. Perhaps even Rasputin is no Rasputin.
No One Man Should Have All That Power is an enjoyable overview of the various people who have found power through other people’s talents and power. This makes perfect sense with the wannabes of politics and government. However, when he suggests that great editors, directors, or music producers are Rasputins, that they are the power “behind” the throne, I think he misunderstands those art forms. Who is more powerful than a great director. Stanley Kubrick was a greater power and will be known farther into the future than Tom Cruise, no matter how much he got Cruise to do for him. Great music producers put the artist with the song and the musicians that produce magic the singers cannot achieve on their own. And editing is an art form, it is not proofreading, it goes far beyond that. Gordon Lish made more than one writer better than he was. These people were artists in their own right, powers on their own particular thrones.
Even though I thought his thesis was little more than a good hook to hang a story on and a great excuse to travel and interview people, I enjoyed his breezy style and his stories of the manipulative and their victims. He suggests no one who wants to be Rasputin can succeed with Trump, suggesting no one can manipulate him long term. He looks at Kushner and Bannon, but he really should have looked Mick Mulvaney. He does not make the mistake of claiming to control Trump, but he controls Trump. I thought the book was enjoyable, but scratching the surface, looking at the obvious, and missing the real thing.
No One Man Should Have All That Power will be released April 9th. I received a copy from the publisher through Shelf Awareness.
No One Man Should Have All That Power at Abrams Books
Amos Barshad author site
★★★★
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpre...
June 8, 2019
Love this! I finished it in two days. It's the perfect of blend of factual reporting + quick, conversational writing. You'll definitely read it and want to tell your friends about the stories you picked up.
May 7, 2019
*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
No One Man Should Have All That Power got my attention for two main reasons. The first is that one of my favorite writers, Shea Serrano, did the blurb on the front and the other was that the reference to a Kanye West song made me laugh. Then I read the description and decided I was all in. I didn’t realize I could be more all in until I saw that the author was going to frame all of his discussions of people in the background with power by using Rasputin as the model. Rasputin has always been a fascinating figure to me (although I am not as obsessed and thorough as the author was) and being able to learn more about him and his life and then using it as a tool to evaluate others was something that worked perfectly for me.
I think the first thing to be open about is that since each chapter features a different person and area of power, there are some chapters that are just intrinsically going to be more interesting to an individual than others. That said, I found myself being pleasantly surprised by several of the chapters that I initially thought would be some of the less interesting. This is the type of book that I would learn something interesting, about a publishing Rasputin for example, and immediately want to turn to Alyssa to share the interesting thing I had learned. I do not think there was a single chapter that I found to be uninteresting and more than half the chapters I was enthralled with.
The book is written in a way that is accessible. I felt like I was learning a ton about these individuals and ever chapter was clearly well researched, but it read very smoothly and not at all like a textbook which I appreciated. Barshad had also clearly prepared for the type of people he would be talking to and is incredibly thoughtful and transparent about his process as he writes about each “Rasputin.” I found I couldn’t stop reading halfway through a chapter and often wanted to push on right to the next one.
Overall, I thought the book was excellent. The topic itself was super interesting and the people chosen to be covered were each interesting in their own unique ways. I found the book incredibly easy to read and felt like I had learned some interesting things both in areas I already had some familiarity with and in others that I previously knew nothing about. If you have interest in people who peddle in power (especially behind the scenes) this is definitely a book worth checking out!
Also posted on Purple People Readers.
No One Man Should Have All That Power got my attention for two main reasons. The first is that one of my favorite writers, Shea Serrano, did the blurb on the front and the other was that the reference to a Kanye West song made me laugh. Then I read the description and decided I was all in. I didn’t realize I could be more all in until I saw that the author was going to frame all of his discussions of people in the background with power by using Rasputin as the model. Rasputin has always been a fascinating figure to me (although I am not as obsessed and thorough as the author was) and being able to learn more about him and his life and then using it as a tool to evaluate others was something that worked perfectly for me.
I think the first thing to be open about is that since each chapter features a different person and area of power, there are some chapters that are just intrinsically going to be more interesting to an individual than others. That said, I found myself being pleasantly surprised by several of the chapters that I initially thought would be some of the less interesting. This is the type of book that I would learn something interesting, about a publishing Rasputin for example, and immediately want to turn to Alyssa to share the interesting thing I had learned. I do not think there was a single chapter that I found to be uninteresting and more than half the chapters I was enthralled with.
The book is written in a way that is accessible. I felt like I was learning a ton about these individuals and ever chapter was clearly well researched, but it read very smoothly and not at all like a textbook which I appreciated. Barshad had also clearly prepared for the type of people he would be talking to and is incredibly thoughtful and transparent about his process as he writes about each “Rasputin.” I found I couldn’t stop reading halfway through a chapter and often wanted to push on right to the next one.
Overall, I thought the book was excellent. The topic itself was super interesting and the people chosen to be covered were each interesting in their own unique ways. I found the book incredibly easy to read and felt like I had learned some interesting things both in areas I already had some familiarity with and in others that I previously knew nothing about. If you have interest in people who peddle in power (especially behind the scenes) this is definitely a book worth checking out!
Also posted on Purple People Readers.
April 29, 2019
I love the concept and learned about some people I didn't know before (and more about some I did), but the fact that my favorite parts of the book were the casual bits where he describes the environment in which his interviews took place (and I wish he wrote more! How the interviewees respond to questions about their perceived Rasputinism is fascinating!) probably means that this book didn't go nearly as in-depth as I wanted it to go. A nice consolidation of articles related to the people in the book, but I could have just read the articles themselves and got 90% of the information in this book. I think Barshad is talented and I loved his work at Grantland but I was slightly disappointed with this one.
April 29, 2019
Gregori Rasputin is someone I consider to be one of the most intriguing figures in history, so when I heard that Amos Barshad had written a book about "Rasputins" (the shadowy figures behind those in power) I definitely put it on my "must read" list. As someone who has been reading comic books forever, I'm definitely used to these conspiracies of the real power behind the power, so to get my hands on a book about real life behind-the-scenes-operators in the mold of Rasputin was definitely something I needed to read.
Unfortunately, this book was a mild disappointment. While promising that each chapter is a case study identifying a "Rasputin" and how they operate, it ends up going off the rails fairly early in the book. Barshad sets "rules" for how a "Rasputin" should be and then tries to fit his different case studies to the rules. Except eventually he gets around to discussing both the "Rasputins" of the current president and the former president only to explain that they don't exist (the former is too stupid and impulsive to have them, the latter too smart and contemplative.) This unfortunately railroads the entire book, and makes it more like Barshad exploring a theme just so he can talk about Trump and Obama (Trump himself takes up about a quarter of the book) and even then it seems like he just wants to tell us how stupid Trump is--Obama can't be "Rasputined" because he thinks too much, but the current president is immune because he barely thinks at all. So if your expectation is that you are going to read about Rasputin and Rasputin types, you're probably going to be disappointed.
While this book did point me to Douglas Smith's Rasputin biography (which is new on my "must read" list) this book didn't really live up to my expectations. I wanted to learn about Rasputins, not who they're not.
Unfortunately, this book was a mild disappointment. While promising that each chapter is a case study identifying a "Rasputin" and how they operate, it ends up going off the rails fairly early in the book. Barshad sets "rules" for how a "Rasputin" should be and then tries to fit his different case studies to the rules. Except eventually he gets around to discussing both the "Rasputins" of the current president and the former president only to explain that they don't exist (the former is too stupid and impulsive to have them, the latter too smart and contemplative.) This unfortunately railroads the entire book, and makes it more like Barshad exploring a theme just so he can talk about Trump and Obama (Trump himself takes up about a quarter of the book) and even then it seems like he just wants to tell us how stupid Trump is--Obama can't be "Rasputined" because he thinks too much, but the current president is immune because he barely thinks at all. So if your expectation is that you are going to read about Rasputin and Rasputin types, you're probably going to be disappointed.
While this book did point me to Douglas Smith's Rasputin biography (which is new on my "must read" list) this book didn't really live up to my expectations. I wanted to learn about Rasputins, not who they're not.
April 26, 2019
I received this book as an ARC in order for an honest review. And so, I have decided to share it with you all on Goodreads!
"No One Man Can Have All That Power" is a nonfiction book written by Amos Barshad after his in-depth pursuit at Rasputinism in popular culture. He first gives us an idea as to the truth behind Grigori Rasputin and how one Siberian peasant could hold the hearts of the Tsar and Tsarina. Barshad follows this with a look at various Rasputins in today's culture, people who work from behind the scenes, whispering in the ears of the public and influential, guiding them, manipulating them.
From sports, to musicians, to the presidents of three different countries, including both President Barack Obama and President Donald Trump. Who is the real power behind some of our favorite superstars? And why have they chosen to stay in the background instead of using their influence to propel themselves into the limelight? Barshad answers these questions and more, even giving a list of what makes a master manipulator, a Rasputin if you will.
I loved this book! It was quite fun to read and I am sure anyone interested in popular culture or psychology or sociology will be as fascinated as I was. Check it out!
"No One Man Can Have All That Power" is a nonfiction book written by Amos Barshad after his in-depth pursuit at Rasputinism in popular culture. He first gives us an idea as to the truth behind Grigori Rasputin and how one Siberian peasant could hold the hearts of the Tsar and Tsarina. Barshad follows this with a look at various Rasputins in today's culture, people who work from behind the scenes, whispering in the ears of the public and influential, guiding them, manipulating them.
From sports, to musicians, to the presidents of three different countries, including both President Barack Obama and President Donald Trump. Who is the real power behind some of our favorite superstars? And why have they chosen to stay in the background instead of using their influence to propel themselves into the limelight? Barshad answers these questions and more, even giving a list of what makes a master manipulator, a Rasputin if you will.
I loved this book! It was quite fun to read and I am sure anyone interested in popular culture or psychology or sociology will be as fascinated as I was. Check it out!
November 28, 2019
Similar to the old saying that behind every great man is a woman, the author sets out to prove that behind the powers that be in all realms, politics, writers, celebrities, drugs, sports, world leaders, lurks someone who remains in the shadows and influences the actions and thoughts of the person in the spotlight, which in turn, can, sometimes, change the world. These he calls the Rasputins after the man so influential in the lives of the Russian Romanovs. I found the chapter on Tom Brady very interesting with him and his mentor and friend pushing QB12 as a way to stay young and vibrant forever. (Tom claims that drinking water keeps him from getting sunburned!) Also included are chapters that analyze those, and there are many, who have been the stimulus behind Donald Trump's various and sundry policies. (For example, he did not come up with his signature promise - building the wall. It was dreamed up by one of his Rasputins.) Trump being Trump, they come and go quickly.
And, interestingly enough, and humorously, the author, himself, becomes a Rasputin for his Homeowners' Association.
A different kind of book, interesting, well researched, with the author's personality showing through.
And, interestingly enough, and humorously, the author, himself, becomes a Rasputin for his Homeowners' Association.
A different kind of book, interesting, well researched, with the author's personality showing through.
December 16, 2023
It's entertaining enough, but I'm not qualified as a historian to say if there are any major historical inaccuracies. The chapter on Scooter Braun strikes me as remarkably credulous--Braun claims he's only manipulated Justin Bieber, for example, for Bieber's benefit. There's no interrogation of the idea that turning a child into a world-famous star is a benefit. Braun is credited with all of Bieber's successes, and Bieber alone holds the blame for his failures. Not that I have any personal love for Justin Bieber, it's just very odd that Braun alone is exonerated, even given the title of the Anti-Rasputin. I think this was prior to Braun's spat with Taylor Swift, but if it wasn't, it's extremely odd that it wasn't mentioned, especially since this book doesn't shy away from pop culture and topical subjects.
On the chapter about Nicaragua, the role the US played is carefully removed. The same thing in the chapter on South Korea. The fact that the US set up and supported these dictatorships we're discussing just isn't worth mentioning apparently. Oh well, it's written by a journalist, not a historian or anthropologist. And it certainly reads like it.
On the chapter about Nicaragua, the role the US played is carefully removed. The same thing in the chapter on South Korea. The fact that the US set up and supported these dictatorships we're discussing just isn't worth mentioning apparently. Oh well, it's written by a journalist, not a historian or anthropologist. And it certainly reads like it.
April 17, 2019
I won this from Goodreads Giveaways.
Witty, fun, and interesting, this book starts by giving a loose framework for how we should think about an archetypal Rasputin. The vast majority of the book is a breezy, surface-level look at a bunch of examples throughout the world, in various industries and fields.
The writing really elevates this book for me. It's a delight to read Barshad's conversational takes on many of these puppet-master types. It's also a relief to see that Barshad doesn't take his "theory" too seriously. The book explores the various ways people manipulate each other through multiple lenses, which allows the author to wander a bit from his 7 "rules" on what makes a person a Rasputin. I was much more interested in the manipulators who didn't tick all the boxes, and the author freely examines why certain people in certain situations fail or succeed using his loose paradigm. That being said, its also fantastic that Barshad doesnt seem to take himself too seriously either.
A charming quick read for a crash course in manipulative people in modern times.
Witty, fun, and interesting, this book starts by giving a loose framework for how we should think about an archetypal Rasputin. The vast majority of the book is a breezy, surface-level look at a bunch of examples throughout the world, in various industries and fields.
The writing really elevates this book for me. It's a delight to read Barshad's conversational takes on many of these puppet-master types. It's also a relief to see that Barshad doesn't take his "theory" too seriously. The book explores the various ways people manipulate each other through multiple lenses, which allows the author to wander a bit from his 7 "rules" on what makes a person a Rasputin. I was much more interested in the manipulators who didn't tick all the boxes, and the author freely examines why certain people in certain situations fail or succeed using his loose paradigm. That being said, its also fantastic that Barshad doesnt seem to take himself too seriously either.
A charming quick read for a crash course in manipulative people in modern times.
November 3, 2020
It's probably safe to assume that the non-fiction genre is often misunderstood or cast off as boring, dry, and lacking personality. No One Man Should Have All That Power by Amos Barshad challenges such stereotypical notions in a very entertaining way.
You can tell Barshad had a blast writing his book as he describes and contextualizes his encounters with modern-day Rasputin-like figures, defined by a criteria of seven items that he developed based on his fascination with the elusive Russian character. He imbues his research and experiences with a clear purpose and plenty of humor, though his word choice sometimes seemed out-of-place and interrupted the flow of my reading.
All in all, if the majority of non-fiction was even half as fun as Barshad's examination of the Rasputins who may (or may not) exist and pull the strings behind the scenes of our current culture, I think it could find its way to a much wider audience.
You can tell Barshad had a blast writing his book as he describes and contextualizes his encounters with modern-day Rasputin-like figures, defined by a criteria of seven items that he developed based on his fascination with the elusive Russian character. He imbues his research and experiences with a clear purpose and plenty of humor, though his word choice sometimes seemed out-of-place and interrupted the flow of my reading.
All in all, if the majority of non-fiction was even half as fun as Barshad's examination of the Rasputins who may (or may not) exist and pull the strings behind the scenes of our current culture, I think it could find its way to a much wider audience.
October 8, 2019
This was probably misunderstanding on my part, but when I requested (and won) a copy of this book, I had assumed that this book was going to be more than what I've read. I didn't understand what I was supposed to take away from this collection of stories of Rasputinesque figures besides some interesting tidbits I could use on a very specific, historical Russian crazy man themed trivia night.
Not to say that this wasn't interesting, considering how fun it was to learn that the man, the myth, the legend, himself screamed while he screwed his female followers, "You demon of the flesh, begone!" (#kinky) or seeing the transition in writing from a semi-objective Rasputin research to a semi-conversational and snarky writer harried by a publishing deadline and had to skip through the proofread errors (so many errors...)
Overall, this book didn't leave a lasting impression on me.
Not to say that this wasn't interesting, considering how fun it was to learn that the man, the myth, the legend, himself screamed while he screwed his female followers, "You demon of the flesh, begone!" (#kinky) or seeing the transition in writing from a semi-objective Rasputin research to a semi-conversational and snarky writer harried by a publishing deadline and had to skip through the proofread errors (so many errors...)
Overall, this book didn't leave a lasting impression on me.
July 20, 2020
Lately, I’ve been interested in how power is accrued. I’ve found myself fascinated with those who seem to navigate their way into positions where they can espouse their ideas and influence others. Many of the people I have been thinking about or reading about use their discovered power to corrupt while, of course, thinking it is for good. Is it?
This thought brought me to a book by Amos Barshad entitled No One Man Should Have All That Power. The premise of the book is based on the personality and influence of Grigori Rasputin, who was infamous for being the puppet master of Tsar Nicholas II. Barshad looks at other individuals who follow the Rasputin model of (typically) behind-the-scenes control. This book was an interesting examination of how people use their ambition, skill sets, lack of skill sets, and leverage as means to their mostly selfish ends. It would do us all well to not just look at the faces of the forefront, but to also survey what is happening in the background.
This thought brought me to a book by Amos Barshad entitled No One Man Should Have All That Power. The premise of the book is based on the personality and influence of Grigori Rasputin, who was infamous for being the puppet master of Tsar Nicholas II. Barshad looks at other individuals who follow the Rasputin model of (typically) behind-the-scenes control. This book was an interesting examination of how people use their ambition, skill sets, lack of skill sets, and leverage as means to their mostly selfish ends. It would do us all well to not just look at the faces of the forefront, but to also survey what is happening in the background.
December 26, 2021
Early in the book, Barshad writes, “Thinking about Grigori Efimovich Rasputin did something to me: it started to make me see Rasputins everywhere.” Indeed, he found influence everywhere, but the problem is that he found them EVERYWHERE; even finding “Rasputinism” in people that really don’t fit the label (eg regular leaders and connection-makers who aren’t in the spotlight). Chapters are scatterbrained and don’t tie back to how he conceives of Rasputin or any larger themes to make sense of these concepts. Barshad tends to rely on a small number of sources for each chapter, so the analysis is fairly surface level. I learned a few new names of interesting, nefarious people that might be worth learning more about, but I can’t say I learned anything new about power, influence, or any other big ideas.
March 21, 2019
Disclaimer: I received this book as part of GoodReads' First Reads program.
Those who know a little bit of pre-Soviet Russian history know about Rasputin and his alleged control of Czar Nicholas and Czarina Alexandria. This book examines his story, and goes on to examine a variety of modern Rasputins who have been manipulators in various fields like pop music, literature, politics, among others. Very readable and interesting, I would recommend this book highly.
Those who know a little bit of pre-Soviet Russian history know about Rasputin and his alleged control of Czar Nicholas and Czarina Alexandria. This book examines his story, and goes on to examine a variety of modern Rasputins who have been manipulators in various fields like pop music, literature, politics, among others. Very readable and interesting, I would recommend this book highly.
May 1, 2019
Really not the type of book I would have gone after on my own, I just found it thanks to "Books on the subway" (so now I have to release it), and figured it would give me an opportunity to get out of my comfort bubble.
I did learn a bit about the real Rasputin, and a few anecdotes about some of his contemporaries "avatars", but I had never heard (or don't care) about many of them, so it's unlikely I'll remember it long term.
I did learn a bit about the real Rasputin, and a few anecdotes about some of his contemporaries "avatars", but I had never heard (or don't care) about many of them, so it's unlikely I'll remember it long term.
June 28, 2019
An exploration of some modern day Rasputins across industries -- who they are, how they wield influence, and the limits to their power. Interesting but not necessarily insightful. If you're looking to better understand behind-the-scenes machinations of power, there are better books out there. If you want some accessible case studies on this type of influencer, or some historical nuggets on Rasputin himself, this is an easy entry point.
October 16, 2019
3 1/2 stars. Rasputin was famous for his control over tsar Nicholas II. What was the source of his power? What other Rasputins are out there in our current times? Not just in the realm of world leaders, but also other areas. Stanley Kubrick; Tom Brady’s trainer; Trump’s various influencers; Obama’s lack of influencers. Barshad hasn’t convinced me that all of them are worthy of the comparison to Rasputin. But the chapters on the US presidents (current and recent) were interesting.
January 8, 2025
“Trump is utterly willing to be yanked forward by the last person he speaks to. But the key here, of course, is this – the last person he speaks to is constantly shifting.”
What a fun read. As a reminder to myself, the 7 Rasputin Rules are as follows. They:
1) exhibit control over others.
2) are controversial.
3) have enemies.
4) attempt to execute a personal agenda.
5) operate from behind the scenes.
6) control others who are few, but powerful.
7) lack the abilities themselves.
What a fun read. As a reminder to myself, the 7 Rasputin Rules are as follows. They:
1) exhibit control over others.
2) are controversial.
3) have enemies.
4) attempt to execute a personal agenda.
5) operate from behind the scenes.
6) control others who are few, but powerful.
7) lack the abilities themselves.
March 28, 2019
This book is well-researched and the author talks to some of the most interesting people of power today. He writes in a very enjoyable, easy to understand way, making this book accessible for most. But please, for the love of god, get rid of the epilogue. It was just painful. A terrible ending to an otherwise entertaining book.
June 1, 2019
A breezy read. But I would have liked to get into the minds of those without a focus, and idealogy. Those who are manipulated by those with a stronger sense of what they want. The Rasputins are sociopaths looking to carry their dream to fruition and we have loads of examples. But what about those in power who are obviously in thrall of those Rasputins. I want to get into their heads .
June 2, 2019
Lots of great chapters a few snoozing chapters, some chapters with great parraells to rasputin, other ones seem really forced. This is one the books I love because it inspires me to read like 4 other books about what the chapters are based on. Overall this is a great analysis of where the true pinpoints of power are in the world , from entertainment to world governments.
June 17, 2019
Amos is a top tier writer, reporter, and interviewer, and it's magical how he pulled all these threads together and made a continuous adventurous narrative of them. Love the chapters on Scooter Braun, Kubrick, the work in Mexico and South Korea, and the batch of chapters that canvas Trumpism + politics toward the end. Also the actual Rasputin is just so endlessly fascinating.
April 18, 2022
Fitfully compelling compendium of profiles of behind-the-scenes power brokers. The connections are squishy at best, so the whole thing barely holds together as a book/concept. Profiles are short and mostly pretty shallow, but there a few strong choices, particularly Putin’s favorite philosopher/bully.
March 27, 2019
“Into darkness!” Natalia interjects with a yell. Gushing her voice again, she throws herself back into the tale. “He kkknocked, he open the door, he take Rasputin, and he said— ‘Now we are going into darkness.”
April 6, 2019
A worldwide exploration of puppet masters and how they operate. My full review: https://medium.com/park-recommendatio...
May 27, 2019
I won this book off Goodreads. Awesome read. Highly recommend.
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August 9, 2019300 B282 2019
October 6, 2019
True rating more like 3.5. I learned a lot of very interesting things, but the definition of “Rasputin” as he presents it is loose. Still a great read.
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