The Invention of Russia

From Gorbachev's Freedom to Putin's War

By: Arkady Ostrovsky

Narrated by: Michael Page

The end of Communism and breakup of the Soviet Union was a time of euphoria around the world, but Russia today is violently anti-American and dangerously nationalistic. So how did we go from the promise of those days to the autocratic police state of Putin's new Russia?

The Invention of Russia reaches back to the darkest days of the Cold War to tell the story of the fight for the soul of a nation. With the deep insight only possible for a native son, Arkady Ostrovsky introduces us to the propagandists, oligarchs, and fixers who have set Russia's course since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The Soviet Union yoked together dreamers and strongmen - those who believed in an egalitarian ideal and those who pushed for an even more powerful state. The new Russia is a cynical operation where perpetual fear and war are fueled by a web of lies. Twenty-five years after the Soviet flag came down over the Kremlin, Russia and America are again heading toward a confrontation, but this course was far from inevitable.

With this riveting account of how we got here - of the many mistakes and false promises - Ostrovsky emerges as Russia's most gifted chronicler.

©2015 Arkady Ostrovsky (P)2016 Tantor

A case-study in the powerful effect of state media

A fascinating book on the history of modern Russia. The take home for me was the tremendous effect the state media had in swaying the understanding and will of the public.

Solid insight into the role of media in politics

Great book from a writer who understands Russian culture and history. His analysis of the role of media in creating a parallel universe to control elections is on point. My only issue is - as usual with audible books - the reader doesn't pronounce foreign names properly and when he does puts on a performative "foreign" voice. It's off-putting.

comprehensive

for those who want to know about the near failed state that is Russia and the "appeal" of a thug like Putin, this is a good place to start

Enlghtening and frightening

Detailed and frightening history of Russia's descent into fascism and it's threat to the rest of the world.

very informative and insightful.

Russia can be complicated to understand due to massive amounts of propaganda. The accuracy of the rise and fall of communism is imperative to understanding the rise of Putin. The corruption of Russia threatens to corrupt other countries around the world. Putting and his Cadre of billionaires are actively investing billions of dollars abroad financially corrupting others. This book begins to explain how this is happening.