The Strongman: Vladimir Putin and the Struggle for Russia

Consider this, I am 73 years old, and all I have ever heard about Russia in my life has been western propaganda. For my entire life, Russia has been presented as the enemy. If you are younger than me, then this is true for you too.

I have been following events in Ukraine since the coup in 2014, which didn't really make the news in the west.

When I hear people talking about the war and their opinions on Russia, I ask: do you know about the 2014 coup? Very few people are aware of this event. There was also a time when Vladimir Putin was portrayed as a good guy in the west. But that would not last as you would expect.

This book was recommended to me by a friend, and I was ready to dismiss it as just more propaganda. When I read of the show more qualifications of the author of this book, I decided to read it, and I'm glad I did. This book contains the subtleties and nuances of Vladimir Putin and his rise to power. If you baulk at that statement, then there is nothing in this book for you.

Recently, I heard a comment about Russia in relation to the Ukraine war that said, "Russia thinks the world is out to get it". To be able to come out with a statement like that means you have to ignore that in the 19th century, the world sent its best army to attack Russia. In the 20th century, the world sent its best army to attack Russia. In both cases, Russia was triumphant, but you'd have to forgive the Russians for thinking that the world is out to get them because for the last 200 or more years that has actually been the case.

I had a young man explain to me that America got involved in the Ukraine conflict, because "it is the right thing to do" I had to point him to the Wikipedia page that details the nearly 70 countries in which the Americans have played an active part in changing the regime Even when that regime had been democratically elected. Given the sheer weight of America, both politically and popularly by way of its overt influence in all forms of media.

I'd recommend anyone read this book, who wants a deeper understanding of Vladimir Putin, and contemporary Russia, than what the western media portrays. show less