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Putin's Russia: Past Imperfect, Future Uncertain

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As controversial as the successor to Boris Yeltsin may be, education on the matter of Putin's time and politics is a matter of crucial and serious study. Fortunately, Dale R. Herspring offers a careful scholarly study to match the gravity demanded of the subject. His analysis, apart from other titles, has the distinct features of a man searching for the full picture regarding the circumstances men of power enter office, and how they confront those issues. The actual text is a collection of articles, a few by Herspring himself, which cover all of the issues which catch the attention of the west and remain significant in Russian politics. Authors of the articles and their respective subjects include Peter Rutland on Putin's relation with Russian oligarchs, Boris Lanin on opinions of culture, and Thomas F. Remington on the political parties surrounding the late Russian presidency. Despite this plurality of authors, the articles are balanced in their criticisms when read altogether, and the professional tone and detailed research conducted within each gives the entire book a premier quality.

A common theme prevailing from the introduction given by the author is the actions men take with the chaotic situations given them. This is a fitting theme, as Putin as the successor of relatively unpopular presidential policies began his office from a particularly difficult position. In this book, pros and cons are presented in equal measure, giving a balanced perception of the man who has shaped his country in the midst of political reform, terrorism, and a mortifying demographic crisis. While useful to anyone interested in the Putin presidency, "Putin's Russia", is probably best studied by persons who are new to the situation of Russian politics, or even the whole of recent Russian history. As a student in Russia for a brief period of time, this book was the text of choice for acquainting myself to the climate of the country, and I must say that the material within adequately prepared me for the experience. While this is not the work of a single author alone, but rather a compilation of articles, readers should be prepared not for a single view, but multiple observations that may require for some extra study into the backgrounds of various authors to understand the angle of each subordinate author. Should anyone wish to find a condensed review of the Putin presidency that also combines a number of voices and perspectives that combines thorough research and careful analysis, "Putin's Russia: Past Imperfect, Future Uncertain" is what this reader would recommend.