I rarely stop reading books and found this book hard to read. Lot's of needless footnotes merely showing that the author spent a lot of time in Asia and new local idioms. For instance the author would use a local saying, and then explain it within the footnote - adding very little content. When I say lots, I mean lots too. On some pages there are 4 footnotes per page for about 3 pages in a row.
Overall this book felt like the author wrote down everything she knew about the disappearance rather than what makes a good book. That being said, the book did not follow a clear narrative and frequently used low grade sources which prevent it from being an in-depth analysis. Considering the total information available, this would have been more appropriate as a multi-part blog post not a medium sized book.
I rarely stop reading books and found this book hard to read. Lot's of needless footnotes merely showing that the author spent a lot of time in Asia and new local idioms. For instance the author would use a local saying, and then explain it within the footnote - adding very little content. When I say lots, I mean lots too. On some pages there are 4 footnotes per page for about 3 pages in a row.
Overall this book felt like the author wrote down everything she knew about the disappearance rather than what makes a good book. That being said, the book did not follow a clear narrative and frequently used low grade sources which prevent it from being an in-depth analysis. Considering the total information available, this would have been more appropriate as a multi-part blog post not a medium sized book.
A gripping and explosive account of Vladimir Putin's tyranny, charting his rise from spy to …
A harrowing insight into Putin and his regime
4 stars
John Sweeney provides an excellent introduction in Putin's war crimes based of his numerous years experience as an investigative journalist.
Naturally, the coverage of the earlier years of Putin's life and rise to power are decidedly less dense than the coverage of events that followed after. Possible reasons for this are likely due to the scarcity of information regarding Putin's early years and the lack of first hand experience of author with this period in Putin's life. In general, the book follows a chronological account of Putin's regime; highlighting the flagrant war crimes and the experiences of the victims of Putin's tyranny. The author also shines a light on many courageous survivors of war crimes as well as those gave their life to oppose Putin's reign of terror.
I would definitely recommend this book as an introduction into Putin.
The reason this book received 4 stars is …
John Sweeney provides an excellent introduction in Putin's war crimes based of his numerous years experience as an investigative journalist.
Naturally, the coverage of the earlier years of Putin's life and rise to power are decidedly less dense than the coverage of events that followed after.
Possible reasons for this are likely due to the scarcity of information regarding Putin's early years and the lack of first hand experience of author with this period in Putin's life.
In general, the book follows a chronological account of Putin's regime; highlighting the flagrant war crimes and the experiences of the victims of Putin's tyranny.
The author also shines a light on many courageous survivors of war crimes as well as those gave their life to oppose Putin's reign of terror.
I would definitely recommend this book as an introduction into Putin.
The reason this book received 4 stars is that I felt that the author had a lot to say on the matter whilst keeping the book to an appropriate length.
The book is concise but well written and informative.
Sweeney included all of his sources - which were often his own rather than utilising too many secondary and tertiary sources.
The writing style kept me engaged throughout the book whilst tastefully conveying the horrors in a powerful manor.
The book also provided many options for the reader to delve deep in suggesting further reading and trusted news sources - as an introductory book should.
The reason that this book did not receive a 5 star rating was that I felt that the early years of Putin's life could have been fleshed out with accounts and analysis from academics and historians. Naturally, as the author is an investigate journalist, it is the investigate journalism that shone through rather than the historical elements.
