Our review of : Putin’s People

How the KGB Took Back Russia and Then Took On the West

Written by : Catherine Belton

Release date : 06-23-20

4.5 out of 5 - Based on 341

Retail price : $31.18

Category:

Catherine Belton’s “Putin’s People” is an insightful look at the resurgence of the Russian KGB under Vladimir Putin and their subsequent efforts to rebuild Russia’s relationship with the West. Drawing on interviews with key insiders, Belton provides a unique perspective on how Putin has successfully brought back much of the KGB mentality into modern-day Russia while maintaining his grip on power. The book also paints a troubling picture of what could happen if this Cold War-style standoff between East and West continues to escalate.

For who is this book for ?

This book is for people who are interested in Russian politics and want to know more about Putin’s KGB background and how it has affected Russia’s relationship with the West.

Pros :

  • Belton’s book provides a unique perspective on Putin and the KGB that is not available in the mainstream media.
  • The book is well researched, providing ample evidence to support its arguments.
  • It paints a troubling picture of what could happen if tensions between East and West continue to escalate.

Cons :

  • The author’s lack of Russian language skills may have hampered her ability to get the full story.
  • The book is a tad dense and could be difficult for some readers to follow.
  • It can be tough to keep track of all the various players involved in this complex tale.

Learn more about the author

Catherine Belton is an award-winning investigative journalist who has spent more than two decades reporting on Russia and the former Soviet Union. A correspondent for Reuters, she has also written for The Economist, The Financial Times, and other publications.

Reader Reviews

“Putin’s People is a well-researched and insightful look at the resurgence of the Russian KGB under Vladimir Putin. Catherine Belton provides readers with an in-depth perspective on how Putin has successfully brought back much of the KGB mentality into modern day Russia while maintaining his grip on power. The book also paints a troubling picture of what could happen if this Cold War style standoff between East and West continues to escalate.”

“Putin’s People is PAGE-TURNING NONFICTION at its best. It reads like a spy novel, but it is all true. Catherine Belton has written the definitive book on Putin and his quest to return Russia to her former glory – even if that means taking on the entire world.”

“This book is a page turner and provides an excellent in-depth look at the inner workings of Putin’s Russia. It is well written and Belton does an admirable job of explaining complex topics without getting bogged down in details.”

“I found this book to be a well-researched and fascinating look at the inner workings of Putin’s Russia. Belton does an excellent job of explaining how Putin has successfully brought back much of the KGB mentality into modern-day Russia while maintaining his grip on power.”

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