The timely and gripping story of Russia since the collapse of Communism, by The Economist's Russia editor. Perfect for readers of Putin's People and Nothing Is True, and Everything Is Possible.

The definitive and award-winning history of Vladimir Putin's rise to power following the collapse of the Soviet Union, by The Economist's Russia editor.

'Fast-paced and excellently written' New York Times

'A real insiders' story of Russia's post-Soviet "counter-revolution" - an important and timely book.' Anne Applebaum

WINNER OF THE ORWELL PRIZE

How did a country that embraced freedom over twenty-five years ago end up as an autocratic police state bent once again on confrontation with the West? In this Orwell Prize-winning book, Arkady Ostrovsky reaches back to the darkest days of the Cold War to tell the story of Russia's stealthy and largely unchronicled post-Soviet transformation.

Ostrovsky's knowledge of many of the key players allows him to explain the rise of Vladimir Putin and to reveal how he pioneered a new form of demagogic populism. In a new preface he examines Putin's influence on the US election and explores how his methods - weaponizing the media and serving up fake news - came to enter Western politics.