«Robert Service, our pre-eminent Kremlinologist, does not offer a lot of new gossip about Putin. He does not believe in demonising the Russian leader. Rather, in a piece of superb analysis, he sets out how Putin the man was swallowed up by the machine he created.»

The Times

«The book has many qualities, not least in ambitious breadth, covering domestic politics, foreign policy, economics and military matters . . . makes for comprehensive introductory reading for those new to the subject. And in the way of any good book, it will be provocative for those already well versed in it.»

Literary Review

«Substantial, well-documented . . . One of our most accomplished, erudite and prolific historians of modern Russia.»

Rodric Braithwaite, New Statesman

«A masterful portrait of Putin and Russia»

Jack Coleman, Daily Telegraph

«[A] Nuanced account of Putin in power»

Victor Sebestyen, Financial Times

«Service is too good a historian to attempt to string Putin's actions into a coherent strategy. Rather, he offers a portrait of a leader cobbling together response to a series of crisis.»

Owen Matthews, Times Literary Supplement