Five Books about Vladimir Putin You Should Read
Vladimir Putin is one of the most powerful men on earth controlling a formidable set of allies across the globe. Understanding Putin may help provide an insight to why he is so powerful to the extent that the Western world led by the United States always reckon with his decisions and influence in global politics. Since becoming President in 2000, his obsession has been to restore Russia’s status as a great power, unbound by western rules. There are books you will read about him that will help you understand the forces and experiences that shaped him. Here’s a list of books that will help you understand the man Vladimir Putin.
1. First Person: An Astonishingly Frank Self-Portrait by Russia’s President Vladimir Putin
The best way to start the journey into the life of Vladimir Putin is to read what the man said about himself. This book provides a candid self portrait of one of the most powerful men on earth as presented through six interviews given by Putin to a trio of handpicked Russian journalists Nataliya Gevorkyan, Natalya Timakova and Andrei Kolesnikov. Some people may not believe what Putin said about himself but the book provides a platform to compare what other authors said about him in their own books about him.
2. Putin
By Philip Short
This book which was released in 2022 describes reasons behind Putin’s obsession to restore Russia’s status as a great power, unbound by western rules. You will get to understand the forces and experiences shaped and what led him to challenge the American-led world order that has kept the peace since the end of the Cold War. The book talks about Putin’s “dark” regime and how he pursues his goals relentlessly by whatever means he thinks fit. This book provides the closest insight on to understanding Russia’s ruler.
3. Putin’s Kleptocracy
By Karen Dawisha
This is a detailed factual account of Putin’s early criminality and the descent of the Russian government into an engine of organised crime. The author of this work, Karen Dawisha, a Russian scholar, made painstaking effort to pieced together evidence revealing the billions allegedly looted by Putin’s cabal and his big plans for Greater Russia. This account provides insight on how Putin got gradually shaped into a dreaded cabal lord across the globe.
4. From Russia with Blood: The Kremlin’s Ruthless Assassination Program and Vladimir Putin’s Secret War on the West
By Heidi Blake
This is a well narrated untold story of how Russia refined the art and science of targeted assassination abroad. Heidi Blake provides intriguing narration of how Western spies watched in horror as their governments failed to guard against the threat posed by Putin’s Russia.
5. Putin’s Playbook: Russia’s Secret Plan to Defeat America
By Rebekah Koffler
This is account of how Vladimir Putin is orchestrating a wide-ranging, multifaceted campaign to retake his country’s role as a superpower. The author, Rebekah Koffler premises her analysis on her deeply personal account of her life in the Soviet Union. This book is as intriguing as you can think of, providing a narration of Putin’s obsession to create a feared Russia.
6. The Man Without a Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin
By Masha Gessen
This is captivating account of Putin’s journey up the political ladder and his eventual rise to power. Masha Gessen puts together a fearless story that navigates Putin’s rise from the boy who had scrapped his way through post-war Leningrad schoolyards, to the ‘faceless’ man who manoeuvred his way into absolute – and absolutely corrupt – power. This is a book that makes you cringe and the image of Putin you come across anywhere.
