The Putin Mystique: Inside Russia's Power Cult

This book has given me a much better insight into the differences in culture. I particularly like the statements about democracy and how it is not the same or may never be the same as we Americans know it. But, it is still better for them than Stalin. I am surprised Anna was able to write this and get it published and I hope she lives a long life. Her book has helped me understand Putin much clearer.

Difficult to read, however great stories.

The author of this book is very much against Putin, and mostly all other of her fellow Russians. But the book offers an insight into aspects of the Russian society, if one is able to rise above the assumptions of the author. I learned from it. It made me look at Putin and his government with more respect, understanding more the tremendous task he has undertaken in taking over government after Jeltzin. For that it earned an extra star.

The book puts Putin's behavior in context with Russian History. Very good and very readable. The issues are complex, but this book explains it.

Not a bad book

This is a Wow. Putin is a very dangerous man.

I could not finish it , got to 20% on my Kindle , poorly written , no fun to follow , waste of money .Very good book is "Russia , people behind the power " I believe is the title , I wish it did not end12..30..2014 I have given it another chance as I am now reading it again , I like it more now

Great inside facts! deep and useful analysis! I love this book!

This is a first class book and I feel much more informed about both Russia and Putin for reading it. I lived and worked in Ukraine (Kiev) for a number of years with fairly frequent trips to Moscow, so I'm not ignorant about the country or the people. The authoress (Armenian judging from the family name) clearly knows the country and analyses and explains it well. I do not miss the place and have no wish to return there any time soon !!Another critique states that the book is more about the Russia that created Putin, and I think I would agree with that. However, I don't think anything is going to change in the near future and that may well be because the Russians themselves do not want it. One thing I am convinced about and that is that even with change, Russia will never adopt "democracy" as we understand the word. Its not in their psyche.I recommend this book as a read that will educate the reader into a better understanding of what makes the Russia of today tick and, as importantly, how it came to be what it is today.

This book looks at Putin on the basis that Russia is a hard place to rule. A fortune telling gypsy once told Stalin to repair the soles of his boots otherwise he could not stamp down hard enough. The other aspect is that Russian rulers achieve demi god like status - God is reserved for orthodox church. Stalin had to invoke God for the defence of mother Russia in WW2. Whether you are dealing with boyars, kulaks or oligarchs the ruler of Russia has to put the fear of God into the upper echelon of Russian society and a raft of stories grow up surrounding a "succesful" ruler - this book repeats some of the stories about Putin where he p

Sometimes the story is a little bit confusing, you have to struggle to keep all the threads in mind. But the analysis of the Russian people, the need for a tsar is revealing and I believe correct. Makes you understand why things are the way they are in Russia. Gives also the sad reason for the Crimean crisis after Sochi Olympics. We other Europeans can only pray that things would change over there, but we need also something to concrete to defend us with should our prayers fail.

Not so much a book about Putin, as a book about Russian political life and how the country itself MADE Putin. Essential reading.

Superb! Everyone should read this.