Welcome to Putingrad

By: Franz J. Sedelmayer, John Weisman

Narrated by: George Guidall

At age 26 Franz Sedelmayer went to St. Petersburg, Russia, where he built a successful police supply and training company. One of his biggest supporters was St. Petersburg's young deputy mayor, Vladimir Putin. Putin and Franz bonded.

But when Franz's company was expropriated by President Boris Yeltsin, Putin did nothing to help his friend. Franz sued for damages. He won, but Russia - and its new President, Vladimir Putin - refused to pay. But Franz persevered, and he won: he foreclosed on Russian properties in Europe. Incredibly, Franz is the only individual ever to collect money from Vladimir Putin's Russia.

"Brilliant. An amazing and fast-moving insider account." (Luke Harding, The Guardian)

"Franz J. Sedelmayer is the very definition of pugnacious. You can't help but root for him as he wages a decades-long battle to obtain payment for assets stolen by the Russian government. Franz's immutable sense of right and wrong is repeatedly pitted against Russian corruption, kleptocracy, and blatant disregard for law and fairness - but he wins." (Karen Taylor, writer and editor, former Editor-in-Chief, France Magazine)

"A fascinating depiction of the Russian psyche." (Vice Admiral Jerry Unruh, USN [Ret.] Former COMTHIRDFLT)

©2017 Franz J. Sedelmayer (P)2017 Franz J. Sedelmayer

Facinating look at the new Russia

Loved it, great book and great performance. Important in understanding how the new Russia operates.

Russia uncovered

This book will open your eyes about how Russia was run during Yelsin’s time up to Putin. I thought I knew how corrupt they are, but this will surprise you on details that are specific and timely. A must read!!

Great information and story

Of course with Guidall narrating most books are good. This book reads like a first draft allowing the author to tell his story, crudely at times but absolutely compelling. Always wondered how Putin got so much power ; now we know. He started at the bottom, learned the system inside and out, noted the weaknesses and strengths then took his time creating his plan for Russia.

Experience the hard way.

Makes you wonder if the culture of Uncle Joe Stalin will ever go away, or maybe more correctly, don't do business with train wrecks.