Putin: Prisoner of Power Podcast with Misha Glenny cover art

Putin: Prisoner of Power

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Putin: Prisoner of Power

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
    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.

    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
  • 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?

    Show More Show Less
    25 mins
  • 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.

    Show More Show Less
    24 mins
All stars
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A really interesting overview of Putin broken into well structured chapters. Some excellent first-hand interviews. Narrated beautifully enabling the uncovering of each plot so that you can almost forget that this is fact not fiction. Would welcome an even greater depth and explanation of the various chapters, for example on the Kursk submarine tragedy or the strategic importance of Crimea. Odd background music needs to be changed but this doesn't detract from the quality.

Engaging listening

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excellent performance
unbelievable story
very recommended to understand how oligarchs came to power and lost it afterwards.
absolutely excellent podcast

great summary

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Beautifully put together this is a fascinating account of the rise to power of Vladimir Putin. When I ordered it I had no idea it was a FREE download for Audible subscribers! PUTIN - PRISONER OF POWER is excellent.

Absolutely gripping

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Thank you for the story. I would like even more details, more deeper truths and insights.

I would like to hear another volume!

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Narrated very well. An historical insight from pre Putin to present day & the future

Highly recommended extremely interesting

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