Putin: Russia's Choice [Paperback]

Richard Sakwa (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0415296641 | ISBN-13: 978-0415296649 | Edition: 1

Vladimir Putin has had a major domestic and international impact since being elected Russian President in March 2000 and yet remarkably little is known about the man in the West. Putin: Russia's Choice , written by one of the UK's leading scholars of Russian politics, is the first major study of the man and his politics. Richard Sakwa's discussion provides the biographical and political context to explain Putin's astonishing rise from anonymous KGB apparatcik to leader of one of the world's most important and significant countries. The book explains Putin's personal and intellectual development and his ability to effect social and political change. Putin's attempts to reform the endemic weakness of the Russian state and to reshape its political system and national identity are explored alongside his economic, social, cultural, regional and foreign policies. The author also examines the close personal relationships that Putin has forged with other world leaders such as President George W. Bush, Prime Minister Tony Blair and Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. Drawing on both Russian and English-language sources, and providing comprehensive coverage of Putin's speeches, interviews and policy documents, this is the definitive study of the Russian leader.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Richard Sakwa’s Putin: Russia’s Choice is the best book in English on Putin’s presidency by one of the world’s leading authorities on contemporary Russian politics. Sakwa’s analysis of Putin is sympathetic but he is not blind to the many problems and failures that have marred Russia’s progress away from the chaos of the Yeltsin era. Sakwa cuts through the hype of the pro- and anti-Putin camps to weigh up both the degradation of democracy under Putin and the possibilities for democratic evolution. Importantly, as the end of Putin’s second presidential term nears, Sakwa allows us a glimpse of how Russia might develop beyond Putin and, perhaps, without him.' - Neil Robinson, University of Limerick, Ireland

'Richard Sakwa's latest book is the best short text in print on Russian politics in the Putin era. It presents Putin as a Jacobin state builder and on the whole as an effective reformer, but does not spare criticism or analysis of Putin's and Russia's many contradictions. I cannot think of a better starting point for understanding Russian and Eurasian politics in the second post-communist decade.' - Timothy Colton, Harvard University, USA

'In this second edition of his classic analysis of Putin’s Russia, Richard Sakwa again challenges those who are too quick and willing to condemn the Soviet president as anti-democratic and a traditional autocratic Russian leader. Sakwa writes in his usual deceptive style – his prose is clear and might initially appear straightforward, but in fact conveys highly sophisticated and complex arguments. This book will not appeal to simplistic souls who want to see the world in black-and-white, ‘good guys and bad guys’ terms. Rather, it will attract those who can handle complexity and contradictions – the reality of politics, whether in Russia or anywhere else. And it will appeal to those who want a deeper understanding of the leader

About the Author

Richard Sakwa is Professor of Politics at the University of Kent, UK.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (January 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415296641
• ISBN-13: 978-0415296649
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,663,316 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A relief to read what 's really happening., November 10, 2005

By 

R. V. Prooyen "qx" (South Melbourne, Victoria Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Putin: Russia's Choice (Paperback)

It 's really a relief to read an objective analysis of what Mr. Putin's been up to. Thoughtful, thorough with no axe to grind, the author sheds a new and welcome light on current Russian politics. I have traveled the CIS many times and read many books about Russia's post-communist transition; usually finishing a book still a bit puzzled and remembering Churchill's remark that Russia was a 'riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.' But no more! - Now, Mr. Sakwa has turned the lights on for anyone who cares to bypass the tabloid press to find out what the true status is of Russia and the direction the Federation is heading. What truly astounded me was how competent and multi-tasked Mr. Putin has had to be to wrestle Russia's post communist political behemoth into a new, stable beginning for true domestic and international progress. A relief to read, actually.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on Putin, December 10, 2010

By 

DiscoverYellow (Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Putin: Russia's choice (Kindle Edition)

There are about 10 books on Putin at the Syracuse University library. "Putin Russia's choice" by Sakwa (ISBN 978-0-415-40766-3) is the best. I found it very helpful for my graduate research paper on Putin's political leadership.

This book is the best place to start. Why? Because it is:

* Facts based

* Unbiased (Well, almost. The author seems to subtly admiring mister Putin, but definitely less emotional than any other books I have looked at.)

* Concise and detailed

* Cover a broad range of subjects on Putin, background, events, etc..

* Quotes and references to a lot of good material in other sources - really a good place to start

Note: I read the paper copy (ISBN 978-0-415-40766-3), and an not promising the kindle edition is the same.