Kremlin Rising: Vladimir Putin's Russia and the End of Revolution, Updated Edition

Description

With the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia launched itself on a fitful transition to Western-style democracy and a market economy. But a decade later, Boris Yeltsin's handpicked successor-Vladimir Putin, a self-described childhood hooligan turned KGB officer-resolved to end the revolution. Kremlin Rising goes behind the scenes of contemporary Russia to offer a sobering picture of its leader and the direction in which the country is now headed. As Moscow bureau chiefs for the Washington Post, Peter Baker and Susan Glasser witnessed firsthand the methodical campaign to reverse the post-Soviet revolution and transform Russia back into an authoritarian state. Their gripping narrative moves from Putin's unlikely rise through the key moments of his tenure. But the authors go beyond the politics to draw a moving and vivid portrait of the Russian people they encountered-both those who have prospered and those barely surviving-and show how the political flux has shaped these individuals'lives. With shrewd reporting and unprecedented access to Putin's insiders, Kremlin Rising offers both unsettling revelations about Russia's leader and a compelling inside look at life in the land he is building. This book is an extraordinary contribution to our understanding of Russia and the debate about the country's uncertain future and its relationship with the United States.

Peter Baker and Susan Glasser were the Moscow bureau chiefs for the Washington Post from January 2001 to November 2004 and were responsible for covering the countries of the former Soviet Union. Baker is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Breach: Inside the Impeachment and Trial of William Jefferson Clinton and is now a White House correspondent for the Post. Glasser previously covered national politics and later terrorism for the Post and now is assistant managing editor of the paper's Outlook section. They live in Washington, D.C.

"[Baker and Glasser's] observations of Putin's rise reads with the drama of fiction and the authority of fact, and is key to understanding today's Russia. . . ." "Brilliant...as riveting as a novel in its depiction of modern Russia life...a powerful indictment of Putin's years as president." "Baker and Glasser possess the eye for detail, ear for the apt quote, and narrative drive that we expect from top-notch newspaper correspondents....A mesmerizing account." "Here is the first great book on the new Russia, as fresh as this morning's headlines and great fun to read. Baker and Glasser have cracked the code--they explain Putin's Russia in terms any intelligent reader can understand."--Robert G. Kaiser, author of Russia: The People and the Power and Why Gorbachev Happened--Robert G. Kaiser -Here is the first great book on the new Russia, as fresh as this morning's headlines and great fun to read. Baker and Glasser have cracked the code--they explain Putin's Russia in terms any intelligent reader can understand.---Robert G. Kaiser, author of Russia: The People and the Power and Why Gorbachev Happened--Robert G. Kaiser PRAISE FOR THE PREVIOUS EDITION"A wide-ranging, comprehensive look at Russia and its leader...well written, well reported, and well organized." "This devastating indictment of Vladimir Putin will remove the blinders from anyone who stills sees post-communist Russia as moving toward democracy. Baker and Glasser trace Putin's moves to turn back the revolution and restore authoritarian rule. Most distressingly, they claim he has the support of Russia's majority who prefer firm control to chaos. Using lies and various forms of manipulation, Putin has gone after all sources of opposition - the independent media, local governors, national legislators and the oligarchs who helped his rise to power. Dissidents who once fought Soviet power have been marginalized in their efforts to call attention to these excesses and to the tens of thousands of casualties of the war against Chechnya. This is compelling reading, a timely and important book."--Jeri Laber, a founder of Human Rights Watch, author of "The Courage of Strangers: Coming of Age with the Human Rights Movement."