Putin: Prisoner of Power

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Putin: Prisoner of Power

Written by: Dasha Lisitsina, Russell Finch
Narrated by: Misha Glenny
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About this listen

On New Year's Eve 1999, a young Vladimir Putin appeared on Russian TV screens " awkward, self-conscious... and the new President. Two decades later, Putin is still in power, standing self-assured and at ease on the world stage. How did a once little known KGB bureaucrat become one of the most dominant figures of twenty first century politics?

In this gripping narrative history, Misha Glenny, journalist and best-selling author of McMafia, tells the story of an unexpected and swift rise to power, one full of political intrigue, backroom deals, courtroom battles and war.

Insider Kremlin accounts and well-known journalists reveal how Putin was first chosen by Yeltsin and the Oligarchy and how he then went head to head with Russia's richest man. After Putin had consolidated power he needed to stay in power. The second half of the series tells the story of how he took over the media, Crimea and increased the powers of the KGB. Finally, Misha considers what Putin might do next.

Produced by Dasha Lisitsina, Executive Producer Russell Finch.
A Somethin' Else production for Audible Originals.

This is an Audible Original Podcast. Free for members. You can download all7 episodes to your Library now.

©2019 Audible, Ltd. (P)2019 Audible, Ltd. Politics & Activism Presidents & Heads of State
Episodes
  • Ep. 1: Rise of the Oligarch

    Ep. 1: Rise of the Oligarch
    Aug 19 2019

    The seeds of Putin's rise to power lie in a slightly unusual place: 1990s Moscow where, after 70 years of communism, "gangster capitalism" arrived.

    Here we tell the story of how a young graduate student at The Institute of Controlled Sciences became one of the richest men in Russia and the Kremlin's Power Broke - Boris Berezovsky.
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    27 mins
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  • Ep. 2: "Operation Successor"

    Ep. 2: "Operation Successor"
    Aug 19 2019

    In 1998, a big financial crash hit Moscow. President Yeltsin’s popularity plummeted. Boris Berezovsky and Yeltsin’s family started the search for a successor. Why did they choose Putin and how did they mould Putin into a President the nation could get behind?
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    25 mins
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  • Ep. 3: The President vs. The Power Broker

    Ep. 3: The President vs. The Power Broker
    Aug 19 2019

    As soon as Putin became President, he started eliminating his immediate rivals. First, Putin went after the very man who helped anoint him - Boris Berezovsky. Along the way, he seized control of the TV stations.
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    24 mins
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What listeners say about Putin: Prisoner of Power

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good reporting

interesting and important story. worth the listen for sure. very easy time commitment needed

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Profile Image for C. L. Aingworth

Loved it. Highly Recommend

I really enjoyed the way this is presented. I learned so much and it was entertaining as well.

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Wanted more

Really enjoyed this book because of current events... but I'm sure there's more stories to tell!!?

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Profile Image for Peter

As close to objective as it gets

Mostly start to present. The author did a great job in stating the facts.
It's neither Left or Right leaning which is refreshing in this current era of professional opinions.
Audio was great.
Lets see more of this please!

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Profile Image for Andrew

Lots of information.

Definitely very biased, but lots of information nonetheless. Somewhat frightening if all the information is accurate.

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Profile Image for Jade Brothers

Easy listen.

very interesting would recommend to people with an interest in any politician as Putin is that relevant.

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a powerful tale

The intrigue in this story, the way it is presented, the fabulous russian voices ,the clarity of the history as presented, is incredible.
a great way to tell a story- -I may never read a book again !

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Great listen for the geopolitically curious

I knew very little about Putin and his reign, and this was a great introduction. The people participating in the show are extremely well chosen and bring an excellent bit of variety in the episodes.

This is fairly brief and doesn't go into great detail about any of the events, but paints a fairly precise and very little biased view on the situation.

Would recommend!

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A good overview.

Informative and enjoyable except for the overuse of short musical interludes which just feel like a filler.

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Profile Image for Hermes

no complaimts

I am enjoying this series, plus it is a vast improvement over the generally female-interest British journalist Netflix specials.

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