Russia: Putin's Playground: Empire, Revolution, & the New Tsar

by Anastasia Edel

Overview

Empire, Revolution, and the New Tsar

Is Russia in the hands of a lunatic?

Ever since Vladimir Putin’s presidential incarnation, pundits and political analysts have asked this question with increasing frequency. Known for his aggressive politics abroad, and irresponsible despotism domestically, the leader of the world’s largest nation holds seemingly limitless control over his people. But Putin is only the latest face of Russian political power: understanding his rule means understanding Russia.

In Russia: Putin’s Playground, Anastasia Edel explores the tumultuous relationship between the Russian state and its people, and traces Russia’s history from its inception through Putin's controversial rule. In a series of short and punchy articles, Putin’s Playground examines every facet of Russian life and culture―from literature to oligarchs including Peter the Great to punk protesters Pussy Riot.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781942411628
Publisher:	Arcas Publishing
Publication date:	01/05/2016
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	118
Product dimensions:	4.90(w) x 6.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Anastasia Edel is a Russian-American writer born during the last years of the Soviet Union. A recipient of the British Government Chevening Award, she has written a novel, Past Perfect, and numerous essays and short stories. This is her first non-fiction book. She lives with her family in California.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“Anastasia Edel provides a beautifully written and richly illustrated introduction to Russian cultural and political history. Russia: Putin’s Playground is equally lively and insightful, a guide to Russia’s future as much as its past, a perfect primer to a country too often misunderstood in America.” — Anthony Marra, New York Times bestselling author of The Tsar of Love and Techno and A Constellation of Vital Phenomena

This book is perfect for anyone with a growing concern about Russia, but without the knowledge to make informed opinions about the interests of the Russian state and the foreign policy decisions of its leader, Vladimir Putin. This book rightly explains the Russian foreign policy psyche via its history and culture, and explains with nuance as to why Russia and the West, especially the United States, have disagreements on many geopolitical issues.—Dr. Ryan Maness, PhD, Visiting Fellow of Security and Resilience Studies in the Department of Political Science at Northeastern University and co-author of Russia’s Coercive Diplomacy

Excellent introduction to political and historical Russia. Up to date, accurate, and visually arresting. This would be my recommendation for anyone wanting to catch up on and understand modern Russia. —Dr. Brandon Valeriano, PhD, Senior Lecturer in Political Science and Global Security at the University of Glasgow and co-author of Russia’s Coercive Diplomacy

Smart, balanced, concise, Putin's Playground includes a history of Russia and an overview of its cultural and intellectual history. Plus, Putin! If you or someone you know has any interest in Russia, get this book! —Dan Lyons, former editor at Newsweek and Forbes, co-producer of HBO's Silicon Valley, and author of Disrupted: My Misadventure in the Start-up Bubble.