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Mikhail Zygar

All the Kremlin's Men: Inside the Court of Vladimir Putin Hardcover – September 6, 2016

by Mikhail Zygar (Author)

4.4 618 ratings

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An extraordinary behind-the-scenes portrait of the court of Vladimir Putin, the oligarchs that surround it, and the many moods of modern Russia that reads like a "real House of Cards"(Lev Lurie).

All the Kremlin's Men is a gripping narrative of an accidental king and a court out of control. Based on an unprecedented series of interviews with Vladimir Putin's inner circle, this book presents a radically different view of power and politics in Russia. The image of Putin as a strongman is dissolved. In its place is a weary figurehead buffeted -- if not controlled -- by the men who at once advise and deceive him.

The regional governors and bureaucratic leaders are immovable objects, far more powerful in their fiefdoms than the president himself. So are the gatekeepers-those officials who guard the pathways to power-on whom Putin depends as much as they rely on him. The tenuous edifice is filled with all of the intrigue and plotting of a Medici court, as enemies of the state are invented and wars begun to justify personal gains, internal rivalries, or one faction's biased advantage.

A bestseller in Russia, All the Kremlin's Men is a shocking revisionist portrait of the Putin era and a dazzling reconstruction of the machinations of courtiers running riot.

Print length

400 pages
Language

English
Publisher

PublicAffairs
Publication date

September 6, 2016
Dimensions

6.5 x 1.25 x 9.63 inches
ISBN-10

1610397398
ISBN-13

978-1610397391
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"To those who believe that Vladimir Putin's rise to power followed an inexorable master plan of control, this book will come as a shock. Mikhail Zygar, editor-in-chief of Russia's only independent TV station, says everything that happens in Putin's Russia is tactics: 'a real-time response to external stimuli devoid of an ultimate objective.' Based on interviews with members of Putin's inner circle and with key actors in Russia today, Zygar charts the evolution of Vladimir Putin from a fan of the West to the West's nemesis, from reformer to what Zygar calls a 'hurt and introverted outcast.' Fifteen years after Putin came to power, many still are trying to answer the question 'Who is Mr. Putin?' Mikhail Zygar has some answers." --Jill Dougherty, Former CNN Anchor and Foreign Affairs Correspondent

"Mikhail Zygar is one of the heroes of Putin's Russia, courageously trying to practice honest journalism in a country where honesty increasingly has become an occupational hazard. He is uniquely qualified to take on the subject of Putin and his entourage, and he presents the story of the past 15 years in a way that punctures myths and opens our eyes to events we only thought we understood. He does so with inside reporting, insightful analysis and a cheerful refusal to treat pomposity with respect. --Fred Hiatt, Washington Post

"[All the Kremlin's Men] is absolutely riveting. I have the sense that Mikhail Zygar has gone more profoundly than any other into the deep roots of the Putin Empire. The work is truly brilliant!" --David Andelman, Editor and Publisher, World Policy Journal

"Mikhail Zygar's voice remains one of the most important ones in the rapidly deteriorating media freedom environment in Russia. As a reporter and later as editor-in-chief of Dozhd-TV, Mikhail has been a true advocate for quality journalism and high ethical standards. Anyone interested in journalism and free media should listen to his insights and vast experience. --Dunja Mijatovic, OSCE Representative on the Freedom of the Media

"[All the Kremlin's Men] is based on profound research, dozens and hundreds of interviews, and many years of attentive and thoughtful observation. All of that is deep within, and what the reader sees immediately is a 230-page story, bright, well-written, excellent text, truly an exciting piece of non-fiction adventure." --Galina Yuzefovich, literary critic, Meduza

"I read this book in one night, truly a page-turner. It leaves a profoundly scary impression: that's real 'House of Cards.'"--Lev Lurie, writer and historian

"Outside observers, especially those in the West, chronically and routinely overestimate Vladimir Putin's control over the system he runs. We look for grand strategy instead of immediate, tactical considerations. We look for a single, organizing mind instead of a hive of voices competing for his attention. Mikhail Zygar, one of Russia's smartest and best-sourced young journalists, provides a necessary corrective with his new book, All the Kremlin's Men: A Court History of 21st Century Russia. Mr. Zygar, editor of the independent news station TV Rain, obtained rare access to Kremlin insiders, piecing together a portrait of a 'collective Vladimir Putin' that is both less calculating-and more dangerous-than the singular strongman of our imagination."--Ellen Barry, New York Times

"Mikhail Zygar is a rare Russian journalist, objective, refusing to follow the herd, still holding the Putin era to account despite the obvious dangers. Knowing he could always follow many colleagues and activists into jail, hospital, or into the graveyard, Zygar persists nonetheless. He gets behind the propaganda machine in a unique series of in-depth off-the-record interviews with leading Russian politicians, policy makers and oligarchs including some from Putin's inner circle. A must read if anyone is to understand what Putin's game is." --Christiane Amanpour, CNN Chief International Correspondent

"...fascinating...[Mikhail] Zygar takes us deep into the secret world of the courtiers whose task is to shape Mr. Putin's access to information so that he makes the "right" decision..." --The Wall Street Journal

"Of the many accounts written about the Russian president, Mikhail Zygar's insider's guide to his court is one of the most compelling...The book charts not just the machinations of the various players...It also acutely traces the evolution of Putin's mind." --The Guardian

"A tale of Russian politics based on personalities, ego and ambition, rather than policy, convictions or ideology...The stream of court intrigue gives 'All the Kremlin's Men' the juicy allure of a Russian thriller." --The Economist

About the Author

Mikhail Zygar is the former editor in chief of the only independent TV station in Russia, TV Rain (Dozhd). Previously, he worked for Newsweek Russia and the business daily Kommersant. Zygar was awarded the 2014 International Press Freedom Award by the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ PublicAffairs; First Edition (September 6, 2016)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1610397398
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1610397391
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.39 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 1.25 x 9.63 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #541,546 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #174 in Russian & Soviet Politics
- #287 in Fascism (Books)
- #1,198 in Russian History (Books)

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West485

Very thorough description of the people around Putin

Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2023

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This book describes the strengths and weaknesses of all the people around Putin and how some fall from grace while his old buddies from Leningrad take many positions.

One person found this helpful

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Noel

Interesting yet frustrating insight in the Kremlin

Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2016

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This is a unique book, perhaps the most interesting written about Russian politics since the Yeltsin era. But like most readers, I expected to learn more about Putin through this gallery of close advisers, the Kremlin Men of this book. Yet he remains frustratingly distant, seemingly wary of all and certainly not one to indulge in confidence. The author's repeated argument that Putin reacted to events tactically while he lacked a broader or longer term strategy is difficult to accept about an obviously very smart leader and one who openly vowed to return Russia to world power status.

The Kremlin Men themselves have a certain Lake Wobegon quality (where all the children are above average) about them, although one or two are particularly chilling. My own view is that if the author of this book, Mr. Zygal, is indeed the last prominent independent journalist in Russia, it is because he knows which limits not to trespass.

This is not to say that this book is not informative. It does provide a Russian perspective on recent events and explains how the Kremlin understood them or chose to interpret them. At times, one is surprised and even worried at the apparent paranoia of the Kremlin about Western intentions, where steps or slights are interpreted (or is it exploited?) to justify more serious aggressions. One the memorable quotes is the one attributed to president Putin in a meeting with vice-president Biden: "we may look like you but we are not like you". It is true in many ways, but it is also a way to justify policies which are at odds with those of most of the rest of the world.

Still gigantic, yet woefully depopulated, economically sluggish, bordered by a massive China, an unstable Middle East and a rich but rudderless Europe, Russia is trying to find its place in the world. It is a massive undertaking for one man who remains an enigma.

27 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Original, refreshing outlook on Putin's Russia

Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2016

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Great read - refreshingly original

What sets this book aside from all other books on Putin's Russia is 3 things:

1. Approach --> it does not portray Russia as ruled by 1 man, but gives an actual insight in the power structures and factions that rule the Kremlin

2. Author --> The author himself is Russian - he is involved with independent Russian tv station TV Rain (and had to resign after publishing this book because if pressure from the Kremlin). He managed to get very close to many of the men in power at the Kremlin, giving a unique insight from within this very closed group of people & power, instead of reporting from a distance, as is usually the case with books like these.

3. Writing style --> every chapter starts with an anecdote about a powerful figure. These anecdotes are great storytelling, especially the ones on Chechnyan leader Ramzan Kadyrov and head of Rosneft Igor Sechin. Also, the writer clearly tries to maintain a certain neutrality in his writing, whereas most western journalists / writers (Myers, Pomerantsev) clearly write from a certain moral high ground.

It's very refreshing, original, and I definitely recommend the book.

A final big plus: there is a "Who is who" list included in the English version. A very welcome feature, especially for non-native Russian readers like me, for whom
complexity of the many Russian names might be a bit overwhelming sometimes.

48 people found this helpful

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GeoKeith

Useful Insights Into Putin's political menagerie...

Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2022

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Interesting read, can provide some context into Putin's actions in Ukraine..

Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2022

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Enlightening interesting read. Recommend The book for people interested in politics and world affairs exposes corruption on the world wide scale

One person found this helpful

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Frank H. Fuller

Ignore This Book at our Peril

Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2016

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State Department, ignore this book at America's peril. Donald Trump, by his own admission, lacks the attention span to read a book. So, it's up to his key foreign policy advisors to do so and come up to speed on the real Putin and his Kremlin.

The book is a primer on the rise and reign of the Russian Caesar. Ukraine, Georgia, oil, the oligarchs, the massive lies, the assassinations... We learn who Putin is by his behind-the-scene actions and maneuvers, some known to us as reported in the papers, but much that is new. Michael Zygar has a golden Rolodex and has mined the minds of dozens of in-the-know sources. Yet, apparently, he hasn't yet crossed that invisible line that might mark his end. Perhaps Putin likes having his ruthless reputation burnished. This is not a psychological profile of Putin - that would be equally fascinating but perhaps more dangerous territory for a writer to venture into, but we can hope that one exists in Washington. You can bet Putin has his people working on our President-elect's profile.

5 people found this helpful

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Börje Ohlsson

Good charactar description of Putin's men, but the Tsar himself is still covered in dimmers

Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2017

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The book gives a good picture of the game behind the scenes from the Wild West Russia during Jeltin`s days in the 90s to today's more controlled political structure, similar to the ancient Soviet era. Both Russia and the United States now have what we can call democratic dictatorship, meaning violation democracy and lack of power distribution.
You are given a pretty good character description of Putin's men, but the Tsar himself remains an unclear character and is still covered in dimmers. What is most surprising is what I thought was a calculative and long-term planning Chekist, rather seems to be a man who reacts for the moment and is afraid to challenge the different power groups in Russia. But the book is readable, because it gives a further picture of the many times mysterious and hard-drawn expressions of the Russian people's soul.

One person found this helpful

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Omkar Dhakephalkar

Thank you Caspian Report!

Reviewed in India on December 6, 2021

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I got to know about this book via the YouTube channel Caspian Report (a must-watch for geopolitical content). Being a student of geopolitics myself, I thought this would be an interesting read, and was not disappointed. The writing is crisp and detailed. I do not know of any patent biases, but I may be wrong. This is the author's first book I am reading. If you are new to contemporary Russian politics and the klepto-Kremlinocracy, the named will soon start mixing with each other. It is a good idea to take notes to keep track.

Brian Lait

Very entertaining and informative

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 13, 2019

Verified Purchase

There are almost too many books out there on Vladimir, and I'm sure there will be many more !

This is the best book on Putin since I read Masha Gessen's book "The man without a face....."

Both authors write "from the inside". Through his numerous interviews over the years, Zygar is well placed to have in-depth knowledge of Putin and those around him. He writes in a clear, easy to read, style.

A considerable disadvantage with the Kindle is the inability to flick back and forth within the book. For example. at the beginning of this book there is an entire chapter detailing the names, and a sort of brief CV, of the main characters involved. Without being able to readily refer back to this list, I got a bit lost as to who is who within the book; and a lot of characters are mentioned.

Most interesting was the many insights revealed for the first time to me. For example, that the Rotenbergs hold Finnish nationality and that Boris Berezovsky apparently was Russian Orthodox by religion. I always assumed he was Jewish. Was I wrong, or did he 'convert' for convenience ??!! Also, that Putin was not initially in favour of the winter Olympics in Sochi; I thought he was a main player from the start. And so on and so forth.

A question to which I still seek an answer on Putin is: "Is Putin out there to do as he wishes, or are there shadowy figures in the Kremlin who could, if they wish, rein him in ?" Although Zygar indicates that there are individuals, or groups, who have influenced Putin's thinking/actions/attitudes my question largely remains unanswered.

Regardless, thank you Mr. Zygar for a most entertaining and informative read.

6 people found this helpful

Geoff Crocker

Russia as a feudal state

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 6, 2016

Verified Purchase

Mikhail Zygar’s ‘All the Kremlin’s Men’ is a very readable informative account throwing light on the murky question of who works around Putin in governing Russia.

What becomes clear is that Russia remains a feudal state where leadership is by the king’s fiat, rather than by the logic and reasoned argument of modernity. Power is grasped for its own sake, rather than for any meaningful national agenda. The regime is devoid of any other purpose. Its only raison d’être is to perpetuate itself, which is why it has to rely on myths of international conspiracy against it. Status, power, and image are everything; content, function, and logic rate nothing. As Zygar cites its leaders as acknowledging, the internal result in terms of the Russian economy and social well-being is negligible because there is no such political manifesto in place. Skirmishes in Crimea, Ukraine and Syria are all you get to sustain the regime’s credibility. Underpinning this, Zygar traces the emergence of a supposed alternative to western liberal ethics presented in terms of Count Sergey Uvarov’s historic formulation of ‘orthodoxy, autocracy, nationality’ (p279).

Zygar’s account is sadly reminiscent of Osip Mandelstam’s critique of the leadership of his day which he describes as

‘Fawning half men for him to play with
They whinny purr or whine
As he prates and points a finger
One by one forging his laws’

As Rodric Braithwaite, former UK ambassador to Moscow, points out in his ‘Moscow 1941’, Stalin at one point fully expected to be deposed by those surrounding him. Zygar says that Putin at least once expected the same. It’s perfectly possible to do, and requires no violence.

If today’s Russian intelligentsia, who are as intelligent, aware and capable as their counterparts in the rest of the world, haven’t got the guts to stop this and replace Putin by non-violent means, then they deserve what they get – an authoritarian corrupt feudal state.

10 people found this helpful

Jens Nielsen

It is a very good read, rather entertaining and rewarding

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 15, 2017

Verified Purchase

OK I will join the choir and praise this book. It is a very good read, rather entertaining and rewarding. Many details and many intrigues. I do not know if we reading this book are supposed to feel we are witnessing an unveiling of the “true character of the Putin system” and seeing the reverse side of the system. I cannot say I am that surprised by the findings of the book, you can actually see many of the same things in Western countries. And power games in big countries hardly ever look neat and decent. What went on let's say- on the Capitol Hill f.i.?
Having said so, I must confess that this book is much better than the waves of books written by Western writers about Putin with an extreme negative attitude to Putin. Zygar knows what he is dealing with. And thank God he is not making a hero out of Khodorkovsky. He has made his research as a pro journalist.
Although I have following remarks: I need some references to many of the surprising stories and statements which abound in the book. Are they all credible? Maybe some have forgotten something or possibly want to prettify their past. Secondly: It seems to be a precondition in the book that Russian politician always lye and Western politician always tell the truth. The reality is probably more balanced. The Putin system does not apply to me personally - living in small stable Denmark. But that system has shown some remarkable achievements, a stable growth and some basic state structures which did not exist in Yeltsin Russia in the 90'ties.

8 people found this helpful

A. Reader

It would have been funny if it was fiction

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 20, 2022

Verified Purchase

Everyone's to blame for how Russia got here, including the Russians themselves - their "elite" in particular, who created Putin the monster.

One person found this helpful

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