When Masha Gessen was a teenager in the Soviet Union, she dreamt of being Vladimir Putin. She even wanted to marry him. A few decades later, when Putin had finally consolidated his power as Russia’s president-for-life and started hunting down his enemies, Gessen realized how dangerous it was to have such a man with such ambitions running her country. She had already fled once from the Soviet Union; now she would do whatever it took to get out of Russia. She went into exile first in Berlin, then New York City, and eventually settled in Massachusetts. The Man Without a Face is the story of how she came to understand Putin -and how he transformed Russia-from the inside out.” It’s no secret that I’m not a fan of Vladimir Putin, so when I saw.
For who is this book for ?
There’s no easy answer to that question. It is certainly not a biography for children, nor is it a simplistic story meant only to entertain. Rather, it is a complex and nuanced account of Putin’s life and career – one that does not shy away from offering disturbing insights into his character and motivations. attempt by an unknown author named Masha Gessen to explain how Putin the man came about due to many of her observations living in Soviet Union during Glasnost then having too flee Russia when he became president , I knew this wasn’t going be another puff piece on Mr .Putin The book isn’t titled The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin for nothing; as Gessen points out early on, there was never any real indication that the former KGB operative would go on to become one of the most powerful figures in world politics. This makes her examination all the more fascinating -and troubling-. Gessen traces Putin’s trajectory from young agent eager for powerto ruthless autocrat willing to do whatever it takes maintain his grip on Russian society. She paints a damning pictureofa leader who has crushed dissent, muzzled the media, and enriched himself atthe expense of his people.
Pros :
- It’s a well-written and insightful look into Putin’s rise to power.
- It provides valuable context for understanding the current state of Russia.
- Gessen is an experienced journalist who knows how to tell a good story.
Cons :
- It’s 500 pages long
- It’s dense
- It’s written by a Russian journalist who is critical of Putin
Learn more about the author
Masha Gessen is a Russian-American journalist and author who has been living in the United States since Russia’s 1991 coup. She has written for The New York Times, Vanity Fair, Slate, and many other publications.
Reader Reviews
“Masha Gessen nails Vladimir Putin in this highly insightful, finely written biography. She has literally traveled the world to talk with anyone who might have insights into Russia’s current leader and presents her findings here with clarity and uncompromising rigor.”
“Gessen’s account of Putin’s trajectory from obscurity to near-absolute power is disturbingly compelling. . .”
“The Man Without a Face is the story of how she came to understand Putin -and how he transformed Russia-from the inside out.”
“Masha Gessen has written a brilliant, chilling and hugely well-informed account of Putin’s rise to power. This is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand Russia today.”
