Book Review
Putin
By
Philip Short
Henry Holt and Company. NY. 2022
It is rare these past few years to get any objectivity on matters pertaining to Russia. Bookstores have seen many biographies on Putin hit their shelves. At a close glance, they appear propagandistic and biased.
Previous to this, only the biography “Putin the New Tsar” by Steven Lee Myers looked at the life of the Russian leader with objectivity. Now there is this new biography by Philip Short which is quite good.
Short does not like Putin and considers him a bad guy but the book reads as fact rather than commentary. The author is objective and gives Putin his due many times. The author affirms many important facts regarding Putin.
Putin came to power with the intention of aligning with the west. He was pro western after 9/11 when the Bush administration went to war in Afghanistan. Things went sour over time but a crucial factor in the deterioration of relations between Russia and the west was when the Bush-Cheney administration declared that Ukraine and Georgia would join NATO.
The book is an excellent biography that includes details of Putin’s youth and family background and his career and rise to power. It is an excellent source for researching what is happening with Russia at the present time.