Vladimir Putin and Russian Statecraft (Shapers of International History) Hardcover – Illustrated, September 1, 2011

This is the very best book on Putin I have read to date. The author provides his readers with a clear account of Putin and stays away from directly linking Putin to corruption, to bombings, etc. He gives his readers an analysis of who is Putin, where he comes from, what events have marked him in his life, how he thinks, and why he acts as he does. I saw Putin as one of the World's best in terms of demonstrating leadership, and in my opinion, the Allen Lynch's book highlights this very clearly regardless if one agrees or disagrees with his actions. The author also is clear as to where Putin is weak and what issues he will need to address in a most expeditious fashion, the first being his focus on material resources and limitations of focusing exclusively on material resources and the issue of corruption in the bureaucracy and with the oligarghs. While not fully supporting all of his actions, after reading this book, I am even more convinced that Putin is one of the World's best leaders at the present time.

Of the several books about Putin (including his autobiography), this is by far the best in my opinion. The author gives insight into Putin's strengths and weaknesses, including his philosophical underpinnings through study of martial arts and deep convictions about the importance of his nation and loyalty in his relationships. He does not brook criticism and will not hesitate to have his critics and enemies silenced. With the background of this book, it is easy to understand how Putin is able to outmaneuver a U.S. President who can shoot a baskeball or play golf but is ignorant of the principles of judo.

A GREAT READ. A "RAGS TO RICHES" BIO OF PUTIN FROM HIS "OUT OF CONTROL" TEENAGE YEARS, THRU A SELF-IMPOSED RIGID DISCIPLINE PROGRAM, THRU HIS COURTING AND PROPOSAL TO HIS WIFE, TO THE STEPS WHICH LEAD HIM TO BE THE PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA. IT IS A FASCINATING ANALYSIS OF PUTIN'S PRIDE IN BEING RUSSIAN AND HIS BELIEF IN RESURRECTING THE POWER OF RUSSIA. EVERY READER WILL COME AWAY WITH NEW INSIGHTS INTO PUTIN THE MAN AND HIS IMPACT ON RUSSIA AS ITS LEADER. A BOOK FOR "ALL" TO READ.

Conflict of interest alert: The author is a colleague and close friend, and made some revisions in the manuscript in response to my suggestions. That lapse in judgment and character aside, he has produced what is easily the most insightful and penetrating account of Putin available in the English language. He is both sympathetic and sadly disappointed. He has canvassed all the sources and remains close to what is happening on the ground in Moscow and Sankt Petersburg. Anyone interested in modern Russia should read this book.

THIS BOOK GIVES YOU AN INSIGHT OF VLADIMIR PUTIN..IT BRINGS YOU CLOSE TO THE INDIVIDUAL PUTIN NOT THE PRESIDENT PUTIN.......WHICH ALLOWS THE READER TO KNOW SO MUCH MORE ABOUT VLADIMIR PUTIN THAN THE EVENING NEWS WANTS TO TELL US..I CAN SAY AFTER READING THIS BOOK CAREFULLY I CAN HONESTLY SAY....VLADIMIR PUTIN SEEMS LIKE A GOOD DECENT MAN WITH A WORLD OF PRSSURE ON HIM.........BUT MISUNDERSTOOD BY MOST OF THE WORLD...

I was looking for a fair account (i.e. not fanboyish nor just another western attack piece) of this indispensable man's life and this work by Professor Lynch fit the bill perfectly. Highly recommended.

Kind of dry writing but very interesting, and very appropriate in light of the Ukraine crisis. Gave a great understanding of Putin's tactics and history. His actions have always been consistent. If John Kerry and Obama had read this book the Ukraine wouldn't be in such a mess today.

This work by Allen Lynch provides an interesting, incisive and relevant analysis of the Russian leader and the various directions in which he leads his country in order to fortify national image and economic viability.

Der Text ist kurz, hervorragend recherchiert und unterhaltsam. Man fühlt sich bei Vorurteilen ertappt, die man gegenüber dem grossen Nachbar im Osten und dem unergründlichen Staatschef hegt. Putin vom Streben nach Macht und Gier nach Materiellem getrieben sowie vom ehemaligen KGB auf den Schild gehoben? Weit daneben. Man erfährt von seinem Drang nach Loyalität und Erfüllung der durch geschichtliche Fügung zugefallenen Pflicht, ebenso weshalb er sich zu einem Kapitalismus bekennt, den er nicht wirklich versteht, und wie sich seine Traumatisierung durch Chaos und Anarchie dahin auswirken, im Zweifel die Rechte des Einzelnen zu Gunsten staatlicher Ordnung mit Füssen zu treten sowie in der Aussenpolitik die Regimes diktatorischer Potentaten zu unterstützen. Faszinierend ist auch die Darlegung, weshalb er sich im Anschluss an die Perestroika von Amerika im Stich gelassen fühlte und heute alles daran setzt, Russland wieder auf die Landkarte der grossen Mächte zu setzen.