The New Tsar: The Rise and Reign of Vladimir Putin Paperback – Illustrated, August 23, 2016

Distinctly better than Masha Gessen's "The Man Without A Face: The Unlikely Rise Of Vladimir Putin," which was disappointedly overrated and biased. In contrast, this superb composition is eloquently informative regarding Putin's evolution, amidst the various individuals/events, affecting his stunning consolidation of power, crowned with the endorsement of President Boris Yeltsin. For instance, Putin was a Lieutenant Colonel, attached to the Soviet KGB East German Office, presiding as Dresden's Deputy Chief, during the unexpected dismantling of the infamous Berlin Wall, dividing East/West Germany, in November 1989. Fascinating revelations uncovering his artfully crafted facade -- a glimpse revealing Putin's underlying true persona. An outstanding testament to the author's skillful nonjudgmental portrayal. Highly recommend.

A good book to get up to speed on Putin and the recent history of Russia.The book is written quite objectively carefully documenting what is clearly established versus what is speculation. For example- In the case of Putin's alleged amassing of a fortune as a corrupt bureaucrat in St Petersburg, something which is essentially presented as fact by no less a journalistic luminary than Frontline, the book provides convincing evidence that the speculation is false.- In the case of the apartment bombings, in which Putin's engineering of it all is taken as fact by Frontline, the book presents the cases both for and against.- In cases where the evidence is clearer, for example, election rigging in 2012 the author is willing to put his foot down that it clearly did happen.Although Putin definitely emerges as a bad guy overall for building a kleptocracy and smashing all but token opposition the book also documents positive changes he enacted: For example something of a move toward a market economy and the building of a rainy day fund which the author believes allowed Russia to survive the global financial crisis.Putin's life before becoming Prime Minister and then President is not glorified. The author points out his recklessness such as street brawling while a KGB agent and his indifference to family life. On the other hand, he is not demonized. The author points out that Putin had gained a reputation as being loyal, even when coming at the cost of personal risk and being seen as above corruption prior to becoming Prime Minister. Indeed the author points out that Yeltsin appointed him precisely for these characteristics. It is remarkable that the book is engaging enough to get you through Putin's rather boring life pre-1998 without giving up on it all!Although the book presents a decent amount of detail on Putin's personal life and habits, he ultimately remains a rather mysterious figure. I felt this was one weakness of the book. It does discuss Putin's hostility toward the west somewhat: for example his feeling that the west is imperialistic, ultimately intent on crushing Russia, arrogant and corrupting of family and religious values. It seemed that the author had just touched on the tip of the iceberg, however, and, perhaps, with more exposition of Putin's he would seem less mysterious.Another weakness of the book is its rather brief coverage of the events of 2014 in Ukraine. The events are sketched out but there is not enough detailed investigation to have a good sense as to whose version of events is more likely to be true. For example, to what extent was it far right Ukrainian nationalists behind it all versus a truly populist uprising? Who was responsible for things turning violent?Like most Russian history, things are rather dreary and after reading the book my main sense was being lucky to live in the west and how important it is to keep corruption out of government.

The book, The New Tsar by Myers, is a well done bio of Vladimir Putin. To set my observation space regarding this work, I was in Russia from 1995 thru 2004, in Saint Petersburg and Moscow, starting my telecommunications company, and with partners who were from the same world as Putin. These folks knew me since in the 70s I had been part of the US Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty talks and had one on one contact with various Russians. I managed a bit of Russian language, adequate to get about, and even joke after a few vodkas. Thus I had been closely aware of Russia, the Russians, and the KGB world. Unlike most Americans I had no larger company backing and I needed in country partners, many of whom are covered in Myers tale. I saw Moscow via the Metro, the streets, the stores, the homes. I saw vodka used to brush teeth because the water is so infested it is barely adequate to flush toilets. Yet the streets looked like Tokyo at night, a change which occurred in less than ten years.Myers takes on a journey which has as its focus Putin, but for all purposes it is a journey on the change of Russia from Communism to what it is today. In a sense, the Orthodox Church has replaced the Communist Party for the masses, a milder means of establishing the mandated role of the rulers. This comes out in Myers work by the telling tale of Putin being baptized as a child. Myers did not really explore the depths of this ongoing cooperation but he does provide certain pieces. Myers follows Putin and attempts to give some depth to the many by his movement from young KGB “employee”, to the accidental head of the FSB (formerly the KGB) and then to President. In a sense Putin’s life is almost Forest Gump like, just being there when the bus went by and getting on to see where it took him next.Unlike a Tsar, one who was born to “greatness” and knew it by birth, Putin just happened to be at the right place at the right time with the right attitude. The appointment of Putin as President by Yeltsin was a turning moment, for up until that moment he was an effective administrative functionary, but then he was thrown headlong into the top leadership slot. His KGB past was his backstop. His trusted friends, if any, were from that time and space. Key among them was Sergei Ivanov, a KGB general and longtime associate. Ivanov flows in and out of Myers book but it would have been worthwhile to have explored him in more depth.The discussion by Myers concerning Putin and Bush is also telling. At first, after 9/11, there was a bond, but as the US managed to take its aggressive single handed approach to Iraq that bond fell apart. Putting understood Iraq, albeit from afar via Afghanistan and Russia’s disaster. Bush did not, and his team also did not. Thus, the quagmire. There is also the discussion on boundaries and NATO and Russia’s near abject terror of a NATO encroachment. Why the US never truly understood the need for Russia to have a buffer is amazing. Russia just needs neutral borders, ones not militarily aligned with the West.Myers does a reasonable job on Putin I and Putin II. Namely Putin I is the accidental president. This is a period of his ascending to the highest rank. Much of this time he is learning and expanding. Then after his hiatus, he is now Putin II, no longer accidental, but deliberate and with a depth of team players to make him untouchable in Russia. The problem is when we see Putin II we see in many ways the old KGB tactics. Myers discusses many of the allegations of assassinations and corruption.The book is exceptionally well written and is a major contribution to the understanding of Putin. But the book also demonstrates that Putin II is a moving target and evolving and expanding player on the world stage, a man who is much more comfortable in his new role rather than the accidental presidency that pushed him to the forefront.If Myers’ book does anything, it should enlighten some in Washington as to whom they are dealing with. He is a Russian, has a Russian mind, and in a sense a Russian soul. One must understand Russia at least a little to understand Putin. Kennan had such an understanding. Very few have had such in the US since then.

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Definitely gives a good background into the Rise of Putin. Would love to read more on this

Me encantó, desde los origenes de Vladimir Putin, antecedentes curiosos, atravesando por complicaciones del mes alto nivel, que lo llevaron a ser uno de los más amados u odiados.

fascinating, engaging (as a biography can be), and still very relevant several years later!

Very well researched, well written . highly informativeAn upgrade on today after President Outins re-election would be good and instructive

Chiara e ben documentata biografia di Putin, che inquadra perfettamente il politico nella storia russa e nella sua evoluzione psicologica personale e di massa.