Vladimir Putin: Life Coach

by Rob Sears, Tom Sears (Illustrator)

What can the rise of this century's most feared politician teach us about life, work and love? Rob Sears satirises the machinations that enabled Putin to dominate the Kremlin and undermine the United States of America as ways to help you take control of your mundane life. Would you like to ruin your enemies by sharing compromising material about that time they didn't wash their hands? Fancy hacking democracy at the parent-teacher association to ensure you're a shoo-in for social secretary? Or serving up a cold dish called revenge in a high street restaurant?Filled with stories of Putin's extraordinary and chilling actions, with mocking ideas and illustrations to help you emulate him on a small scale, Vladimir Life Coach is the ultimate parody guide to releasing the pseudo-elected, judo black belt, 5D chess-playing autocrat inside each and every one of us.

Genres: Humor, Nonfiction, Politics, Russia, Audiobook, Comedy

160 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2018

About the author

Rob lives and works in Finsbury Park in London with his cat, dog and wife. His books tend to take an irreverent and fun approach to things that we usually talk about with our Serious Voices, such as monstrous world leaders and the environmental omnicrisis we're living through.

His latest work is The Biggest Footprint, an illustrated book that tells the story of humanity's impact on nature through the character of the mega human, a 3km-tall blue giant made out of every human on earth. It's his first book for kids and adults, and aims to give readers a new perspective on the big data about our species.

Previously Rob wrote a series of hit humour books about world leaders, including The Beautiful Poetry of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin Life Coach. His political writing has appeared in McSweeney's, The New Statesman, the Guardian and Index on Censorship magazine, and he is the co-creator of Working for the Big Man, a sitcom for Audible starring Kevin Eldon, Felicity Montagu and Mitch Benn.

Reviews

[Vladimir Putin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Personally I think this is one of the best books I've ever read, everything is so factual

[Sunny Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of irony, satire and suttle humour to critique Puntin's reign. An absolute read for a day where you don't feel like taking life too seriously.

[Natasha Lukin · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a lampoon written by not a worthy person. There is a famous fable by Krylov called "Elephant and a Pug".Here it is (not in a good Google translation but the meaning is there:

Along the streets to show him off, most likely.
Since Elephants are not a common thing to see
A crowd of gapers followed on the Elephant's heels.
All of a sudden Pug springs up in front of them.
And seeing the elephant, it raises a great rumpus,
It lunges, barks and howls
And it is the best to pick a quarrel.
"Hey neighbor, stop the fuss," A mutt intones,
"You? Deal with Elephant?
Look at you barking yourself hoarse, and he just strolls
Nonplussed And it doesn't care.
"Ho ho!" Pug says, "That's just what I enjoy,
Since I can be a real tough guy
Without a single blow or bruise.
That way, the other dogs will say:
"To bark at Elephant this Pug
Must be a real strong mug! "
After reading your libel the natural desire was to wash my hands and brush my teeth to get rid of that disgusting aftertaste.

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Satire book that is sure to make you laugh out loud. It's funny because it's true.

[Vera · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for politics and humour, this Putin-inspired book is for you!

"Vladimir Putin: Life Coach" is an amusing book filled with political satire, engaging illustrations and life tips and hacks, and subtle critique at Putin's regime and power in Russia. This is a quick read full of wit and comedy! Enjoy! :)

[Harald G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Critique of Putin's regime and methods of staying in power masquerading as a self-help book on how to you can be like Vladimir. Utterly bizarre!

[NitaBee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cover is a great pic of Putin and looks like a biography.

Satire book with a great idea and research articles but as much as I wanted to find this funny, it fell flat for me.

I don’t know much about Russian politics , sometimes I mistakenly call Putin -Rasputin from Russian Romanov history. 🤔🤦🏻‍♀️


#QBDBooksReadingChallenge

Read a book outside your usual genre

[Elise · Rating 1 out of 5]

I get it was supposed to be funny, but it just wasn’t. The illustrations were good though. Tuning Quentin Blake.

[Laura M]

Read this for a book club. Took an hour of my life. There’s a couple interesting anecdotes about Putin and some sarcastic advice.

[Alexis Lynn]

only read this because Bryan picked it for book club. Boo Bryan.

[Casper Veen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moderately amusing

[Shaneka Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was funny!

[Mikhail Zlochevskyi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hope this life coach will die soon. Together with all the followers of him.

[Hannah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this against my will because Bryan picked it for book club. It’s one of those books you put in a bathroom incase people forget their phone and need something to read.

[Yuthika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vlad, Vlad, Vlad. You made me laugh. I am wondering if I should be scared of writing this review and if my Goodreads account will be permanently destroyed in the next few days. I love how you have a way of circumventing almost anything, Vlad. And your work ethic? Incomparable. Who wouldn't want to have meetings after midnight? After reading this, I am oh-so-insipired to Be More Vlad. And I will incorporate one lesson a day in my life.

[Ronja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ironiaa pursuava kirja Putinista ja hänen tavastaan hallita. Hauskaa, koska niin moni kirjassa esitetty asia on pohjimmiltaan totta. Minua myös huvitti se, että teos (ainakin minun mielestäni) kohdistaa piikin myös erilaisia huuhaa-hömppä-elämäntaitokirjoja kohtaan.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great coffee table book to read when you wanna have a laugh with your roommates or family or just on your own. It is a very lighthearted yet informative piece of literature. I’d recommend it to whomever likes learning random history facts and has a sense of humor.

[Natasha B · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a random book! I admit, I chuckled once or twice. Every page has a different topic and a section on how to ‘Be more Vlad’ in relation to that topic. What did I just read?!

[Marc Keymeulen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Given to me for a secret Santa present 2 years ago, along with the other Rob Sears “book of poems by Donald Trump”, I tan into this satirical “self help” book yesterday while looking for something to take my mind of things.
Things like the brutal blood thirsty war that Putin started 2 weeks ago by invading The Ukraine.
Sears sarcastically sums up Vlad’s “qualities” and it is too bad we all allowed it to happen and continue to rot since 1999.
I keep wondering what would have been the scenario when not Biden but Trump would still be in the White House. Too bad Philip Roth is no longer among us, in The Plot Against America he developed an alternatve historical development where not Roosevelt but Nazi lover Lindberg won the elections. Phil would have done a great job with Trump-Putin too.

[Manolo González · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is tremendously hilarious, I enjoyed reading it a lot, BUT of the notes stated by the author only 4 come from books and the rest (like 140), as I (personally), tend to say from "non realiable sources", most of them of articles from newspaper which is obviously do not like Putin one bit. I do not say all of those are lies, but I wouldnt dare to take those as facts.

Overall, read this just by looking some fun, not facts.

[Macy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative and inspirational. We all have lessons of narcissistic abuse of power to learn from Vlad. Stunning guide to conquering those around you, with practical examples of how to apply Vlad’s methods of control to everyday situations.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting(/scary) facts(?) about Putin have been used in the book. Otherwise built up on humor. Really easy reading. One chapter = 1 drawing + 1 text page.

[Victor · Rating 3 out of 5]

C'est pas le livre de l'année mais ça mérite d'être lu pour comprendre le mythe

[Pirita Ollila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lol :D

[Darcey]

i rlly hope this is some genius satire and not propaganda. either way, excited.

[Mascha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wel grappig en je leest er zo doorheen. Af en toe lees je iets wat daadwerkelijk leerzaam of schokkend is maar verder is het niet heel speciaal.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can honestly say I've never read anything quite like it! 😂

[Sigbjørn Skjæveland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ganske morsom. Kanskje ikke helt politisk korrekt.

[Karel Solař]

Celia, I know you’re reading this. You were right, it’s the best external policies guide. Let us all be less Vlad.