black square adventures in the post soviet world sophie pinkham

A book from him on the deep dynamics of the entire post-Soviet era, free of obsession with the personality of Putin, is nothing less than a gift Keith Gessen, author of A Terrible Country Tony Wood is the best and most eloquent writer on Russia that we have. Sophie Pinkham, author of Black Square: Adventures in the Post-Soviet World This lucid, concise book is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the economic, social, and political factors that have made Russia what it is today, and that will shape Russia’s future. Tony Wood masterfully readjusts the lens through which we see contemporary Russia. The result is a concise book that is continuously startling in its revelations, and sobering in its reminders of the vast tracts of Russian experience that paranoid commentary about the country has disregarded Pankaj Mishra, author of Age of Anger Tony Wood brings a cool eye and analytical acuity to a systematically misrepresented subject. How will he placate the oligarchs who control the economy and how will he manage his succession, and protect his legacy? Reviews

Russia without Putin culminates with reflections on the paths Russia might take in the 21st century following Putin's re-election in March 2018.

Russia's incursions into Syria, Ukraine and questions of collusion into western states are a sign of desperation rather than agression. He shows that the revival of a new cold war is a myth. The introduction of the market in the 1990s was a failure than descended into kleptocracy. Wood reconsiders what kind of country has emerged from Russia’s post-Soviet transformations. Beyond the rich suburbs of Moscow, Russia is a country that is only surviving because of what remains of the soviet economy and culture rather than being held back by it. He shows that Russia is not strong but desperately trying to create a space for itself in an increasingly globalized and competitive world, Putin’s reign is based on very thin ice he is highly dependent on a small handful of powerful men who prop him up. In this timely and provocative analysis, Wood looks beyond Putin to explore the profound changes Russia has undergone since 1991. But as Tony Wood argues, in order to understand Russia today, the West needs to shake off its obsession with Putin and look at what lies beyond the Kremlin, to see Russia without Putin.

In Russia itself, he is likewise the centre of attention for detractors and supporters alike. More than any other major national leader, he personifies his country in the eyes of the outside world, and dominates Western media coverage.

It is impossible to think of Russia today without thinking of Vladimir Putin.

Black square adventures in the post soviet world sophie pinkham