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The Strongman: Vladimir Putin and the Struggle for Russia Hardcover – 18 Dec 2011

by
Angus Roxburgh (Author)
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Angus Roxburgh (Author)
4.2 out of 5 stars 26 customer reviews
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Product details

  • Hardcover: 352 pages
  • Publisher: I.B.Tauris (18 Dec. 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1780760167
  • ISBN-13: 978-1780760162
  • Product Dimensions: 15.1 x 3.4 x 22 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 510,821 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Review

[A]lively and absorbing study.... [Roxburgh] is especially well placed to tell the story of how the west s early enthusiasm for Putin turned sour. --Luke Harding, Guardian

[Written] with admirable even-handedness and insight...The Strongman is not only political history; it is informed by the author s close acquaintance with many of the prime players...Every chapter of this book is worth reading. --Mary Dejevsky, Independent

A sober assessment of Putin years, illuminated by Angus Roxburgh's first-hand experience and long acquaintance with Russia --Bridget Kendall, BBC diplomatic correspondent

We need an insider to give us some insight into what has really been going on since 1999, when Putin went from unknown to acting president. It is fortunate then that we have Angus Roxburgh... fair, nuanced and well written...His account of the complete mutual incomprehension between his employers, Ketchum, and the Russians they worked with is fascinating. --Sunday Telegraph

...an old Russian hand. [Roxburgh] takes us behind the curtain of the Kremlin press section....he is at his best in a chapter on fraught Georgian-Russian relations, capturing the culpability on all sides. --Stephen Kotkin, TLS

'...marshals new and valuable details about Putin s life and rule.' --Foreign Affairs

...an old Russian hand. [Roxburgh] takes us behind the curtain of the Kremlin press section....he is at his best in a chapter on fraught Georgian-Russian relations, capturing the culpability on all sides. --Stephen Kotkin, TLS

About the Author

Angus Roxburgh is one of Britain's most distinguished foreign correspondents. An author and renowned journalist, he was the Sunday Times Moscow Correspondent in the mid-1980s and the BBC's Moscow correspondent during the Yeltsin years. He is the author of The Second Russian Revolution and Pravda: Inside the Soviet Press Machine.

Customer Reviews

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Top Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 starsIf Only the Neo-Cons had not had their way?
By Jo on 13 May 2014
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
A very readable book which described both internal Russian developments under Putin and foreign relations. In particular there were interesting quotes from the participants of various conferences and one-on-one discussions between western and Russian leaders and from Russian economic policy makers (albeit now all out of favour and office).

The intention of the book seems to have been to convey the message that with more sensitivity to Russian concerns (particular on the part of the Bush administration) things might have been different and Russia might have become a 'responsible' and co-operative member of the 'international community'.

The question which was not raised however throughout the book was that of the possible and in my opinion likely connection between the internal and external developments in Russia. Each was depicted in separate chapters as if Putin, the operator in foreign affairs has no connection with the Putin who, as the book points out is presiding over the descent of Russia into a state of legal nihilism and corruption on a mind-numbing scale. Is it really the case that for instance American intransigence on missile defence in Eastern Europe played more of a role in shaping Russian foreign policy than the type of regime which developed internally Russia or vice-versa could it have been the case that a different relationship of Western governments (actually the Americans) to Russia would have led to Putin retaining his early promise of democratic development? The latter seems unlikely but the matter is never addressed in the book.
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5.0 out of 5 starsKaa's self delusions over the Bandar-log
By Antenna TOP 500 REVIEWER on 19 Aug. 2013
Format: Kindle Edition
More readable than many crime thrillers, this mixture of clear analysis with entertaining anecdotes has an authentic ring, Roxburgh being a former BBC Moscow correspondent and sometime PR advisor to Putin's press secretary.

He acknowledges Putin's initial success in restoring law and order, curtailing the power of the oligarchs who hijacked Russia's rapid adoption of capitalism in the 1990s, stabilising the economy, reducing debt, achieving growth (admittedly with the aid of high Russian oil and gas prices) and even in supporting the Americans in their fight against Afghanistan - perhaps not in itself a good thing.

Roxburgh expands on the depressing recent turn of events as an increasingly authoritarian leader establishes the "vertical of power", appoints cronies to senior positions in key industries, and turns a blind eye to, if not exactly ordering, the liquidation of anyone who dares to criticise corruption in such chilling cases as the shooting of the journalist Anna Politovskaya and the killing in prison of the young lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, "arrested by the very officials he had accused of fraud".

Thought to have accumulated a vast personal fortune, Putin seeks to retain personal majority support as president partly by impressing people with his often stage-managed macho exploits, but also by resorting to ballot-rigging and laws to restrict the freedom of speech, conscience and mass media, "the fundamental elements of a civilised society" which he promised on first coming to power. Opposition is still too fragmented to bring him down, and he can dismiss the disaffected middle classes as the tools of western influence.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsFair and entertaining book
By Suslem on 30 Jan. 2012
Format: Hardcover
I was very pleased and even surprised by the author's insights and understanding of Russian politics, Russian mentality and their "eternal" distrust of the West. Everything in this book could be verified which makes it trustworthy, no gossips just hard facts. Well done and I wish Angus Roxbourgh all the best. Highly recommended!

Albert from Ireland

[...]
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5.0 out of 5 starsStranger than fiction
By samandalinoz on 12 Jan. 2013
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
I can't recommend this book highly enough. I have read some of the comments from others who may have a much greater knowledge of Russia and regardless of political opinion if you are like me and just enjoy a good read don't let the subject matter throw you off this one. This is a fantastic read. It is like a crime novel, a thriller, murder mystery and history book rolled into one. It has bribery, corruption, murder, extortion, back stabbing, espionage and just everything nasty in world politics.But this is fact not fiction. The author has made great use of comments from leading world shakers and movers that help you to understand the complete mistrust that the West has for Putin but it seems like the guy has magnetism. This book is brilliant. I don't normally do political but some of the characters in this story are scary. Some are plain stupid and others are simply evil (not all on the Eastern side either). Read this and make your own minds up about which is which.
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5.0 out of 5 starsA great insightful and witty read
By Tycho Rush on 12 April 2012
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
This was a great read.
As someone who's worked in a related field and dealt with many of the issues and some of the events that Mr. Roxburgh tackles, I found the book not just enlightening but also engaging, well-written and witty. I found myself smiling and cringing, thinking of the situations he covers and their relevance on the world stage. I often found myself jealous of the author's privileged place to experience Russia and the government, but he conveys his insight in a thought-provoking manner.
A must for any Russophile but also for students of history and politics or for anyone who wants a good book (and what a great cover!).
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 starsFour Stars

Very interresting and informative about one of the five Leaders that count in the contemporary World.

Published 12 months ago by coccinelle31
4.0 out of 5 starsThis is a very good that gives an interesting background to Putin and...

The Strongman: Valadimir Putin and the Struggle for Russia. This is a very good that gives an interesting
background to Putin and what has been happening behind the scenes in... Read more

Published 22 months ago by bOOKWORM
5.0 out of 5 starsSehr gut.

Da......Western bias aside.......bloody good read and what a brilliant Russian.....never underestimate the Russians.......history must at least teach us that.

Published on 18 Nov. 2014 by An honest reviewer
4.0 out of 5 starsFour Stars

Informative but I found it a bit of a drag.

Published on 3 Aug. 2014 by AO
4.0 out of 5 starsThorough wide raning analysis, builds the picture in a ...

Thorough wide raning analysis, builds the picture in a systematic manner toward the conclusion. Well written and highly informative.

Published on 28 July 2014 by R. A. Young
4.0 out of 5 starsFour Stars

He is not a mess with, but a book well written.

Published on 18 July 2014 by Christine Newbould
5.0 out of 5 starsCompulsory background reading

Though not a few years old, this well written book is enthralling and gives a wonderful insight into Putin.

Published on 5 July 2014 by AlgyF
3.0 out of 5 starsNot as much insight as I'd hoped.

Some very good information on Putin post KGB years and certainly sheds light on the make up of the man. Read more

Published on 11 Jun. 2014 by rewrites
5.0 out of 5 starsExcellent

Thorough balanced view from a creditable source - the case is still out on VP (and Roxburgh does not pull any punches) but he's right to show that VP is partly what he's been made... Read more

Published on 10 Jun. 2014 by Norman Humphrys
5.0 out of 5 starsMuch more interesting than expected

I wasn't sure when I bought this but it proved a really good read. Informative but with a light touch.

Published on 3 Jun. 2014 by JPW

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