Want a NOOK? Explore Now
A chilling and unflinching portrait of one of the most fearsome figures in world politics.
In 1999, the “Family” surrounding Boris Yeltsin went looking for a successor to the ailing and increasingly unpopular president. Vladimir Putin, with very little governmental or administrative experience—he’d been deputy mayor of St. Petersburg, and briefly, director of the secret police—nevertheless seemed the perfect choice: a “faceless” creature whom Yeltsin and his cronies could mold in their own image. Russia and an infatuated West were determined to see in him the progressive leader of their dreams—even as Putin, with ruthless efficiency, dismantled the country’s media, wrested control and wealth from the business class, and destroyed the fragile mechanisms of democracy. Within a few brief years, virtually every obstacle to his unbridled control was removed and every opposing voice silenced, with political rivals and critics driven into exile or to the grave.
Masha Gessen has experienced and reported this history firsthand, and brings it up to its present moment of unrest and uncertainty. Her spellbinding account of Putin’s rise and reign will stand as a classic of narrative nonfiction.
PeterRoeper
Posted Sun Apr 01 00:00:00 EDT 2012
This book does not appear to be objective or even try to be. Nonetheless it paints such a picture that if even halfway true it is alarming that such a man a such a system could be in charge of on of the most powerful countries in the world.
The book similarly makes one think twice about how easy or difficult change and particularly political change can be.
The author was very brave to write this book given the description she gives. Maybe the notoriety she gets from this book will save her life.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Thu Jul 12 00:00:00 EDT 2012
Author clearly has an agenda. This should not be considered a bio of Putin. There are snippets of info about him amongst the author's lengthy diatribes but I could not even finish the read
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.roni7
Posted Tue May 15 00:00:00 EDT 2012
The Man Without a Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin by Masha Gessen provides a look into the past of one of Russia’s most ruthless and powerful leaders. She sheds light on the circumstances surrounding the way in which he gained power, and even gives insight into Putin’s personality and life before he was in the spotlight. She is successful in humanizing him in a way that has never been attempted before, but that is completely appropriate considering the events occurring when this book was published. It was published in early 2012, right around the time that the Russian revolts were gaining momentum, and this book only added fire to the uprisings. Gessen’s writing is fluid and accessible, and her in depth research is exceedingly evident throughout the text. It was a reasonably fast read, considering the subject matter, and I would highly recommend picking it up.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Mon Mar 24 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Who ever left the previous comment below stating "Putin is Love" is clearly drinking the Russian Koolaid.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sat Aug 18 00:00:00 EDT 2012
It is a truthful account of the rise of Putin and of what happened since the breakdown of Soviet Union, quite exciting but at the same time, chilling story. With today's news of court verdict sentencing three young women for singing anti-Putin song to a lengthy prison term, quite believable.
The author's narrative is easy to read and she has done thorough research on the subject.
Surely, people who consider themselves pro-soviet or who are against democracy, would not enjoy.
For others, hope will bring changes to Russia.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Mon Jun 30 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Every one is entitled to THERE OWN OPINION(at least for now that is)so agree or disagree, I'm not conserned about that.What I am conserned about is what"RECOMMENED"-one below4/01/2012(I corrected my mistake for the 01at the beginning)had commented on at the end of her review.The author is VERY COURAGEOUS for even publishing this book.I wonder how many people don't know how much danger they put themselves and their families,friends etc.in.Why do they take that sort of risk you might ask.To keep US informed on what is actually happening in this crazy mixed up world in hopes that we would all stand together and fight to get our nation,the good U.S.of A.back!!!THERE IS POWER IN NUMBERS folks!!The goverment has taken SO much away from us,we all know by now just how corrupt they are and very few could really give a damn.It feels like our spirits have been broken.At least that's how I feel.It's like we've become"detatched"from what really matters.Also we've let Obama get by with EVERYTHING!!(Heres where my spelling goes to pot,just so you get it is what matters)Bengazi,I.R.S.,Petraes,holding out for that one vote to change for hours and hours from the Supreme Court Justice to pass Obama Care,releasing five of the most ruthles members of the Talaban from Guantalamo Bay,making Snowden out to be such a God awful traitor but only what I would call a hero for exsposing the corruption of OUR government which we should be privey to,the real reasons for FAST AND FURIOUS and the innocent lives that came out of it etc.etc.All of these isuss that were run into the ground until the people,like it was planned,grew tired of hearing it-so what did we do?We became DETACHED!!! I swear when I started I never dreamed I would get into all of this.l just wanted to state that Obama makes Putin look like MR.ROGERS!!!OBAMA NEEDS TO BE IMPEACHED PEOPLE!!!
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sat Jun 14 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Does putin hate america? I fear hes going to ty to be lik hitler. He just looks evil like look at his face does he smile a all ugh i hate him.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Thu Jul 26 00:00:00 EDT 2012
The book was interesting, but the deal breaker for the audiobook was the reader. I had to stop early because I couldn't stand it. She sounds like someone had told her, "OK, squint a little, turn your head so you can look straight out of the corners of your eyes, and sound like you're reading something filled with intrigue." Her Russian accent, used when reading quotes, is even worse. Skip the audiobook; buy the book instead.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Thu Jun 28 00:00:00 EDT 2012
Putin is love
0 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sat Mar 17 00:00:00 EDT 2012
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted Sat Apr 07 00:00:00 EDT 2012
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted Fri Sep 27 00:00:00 EDT 2013
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
A chilling and unflinching portrait of one of the most fearsome figures in world politics.
In 1999, the “Family” surrounding Boris Yeltsin went looking for a successor to the ailing and increasingly unpopular president. Vladimir Putin, with very little governmental or administrative experience—he’d been deputy mayor of St. Petersburg, and briefly, director of the secret police—nevertheless seemed the...