Politkovskaya's book is important in the sense as it gives a voice to people that is not heard in other books about contemporary Russia. Especially the chapter "Tanya, Misha, Lena and Rinat - Where are they now?" where she looks up people that she used to know in the 70s, gives a remarkable description of personalities that anyone that gets to know Russian's personally will be able to recognize.

A weekness of this approach is that it is difficult to recognize and appreciate theese personality-types without personally knowing ehough Russians to see what she is talking about. Unless you know Russians personaly it will also be difficult to experience and take in, how many simply will refuse to read, know and take in her story either becuase it is something they have decided to act as if theese things never happened - focusing on this is negative, or simply because they are very emotionally difficult to discuss. This attitude and feelings among ordinary Russians is in my view farmore important than the authorities attitudes towards her writing.

I agree with the other reviews that claim her writing is very emotional. This is a problem because it makes me suspicious of her writing, even when what she tells is probably compleately true. By being less emtional she would undoubtful come through as more trustworthy, that is especially important because we to a large degree only have her side of the stroy to hold on to. Though considerably more moderate than Litvinenko and Felshtinsky's "Blowing up Russia", I find myself having some of the same mixed emotions about some of the consparicy-like claims that come up in the book, where we only have whether we belive the author or not to hold on to. Though experience have learned me that few seemingly over-the-top fantastic rumours can be ruled out when it comes to Russian politics, I am still laved with mixed emotions.

Her personal aproach also leave the basic, structural facts that is important to understand contemporary Russia in the background. Gaidar has used the relevant comparison of Russia in the 90s with the last similary desperate economic situation in Germany in the 30s. About 15 years after the democrasy was established in Germany, Hitler came to power under similar economic conditions. Who ever Putin is, he is like a boy-scout in that perspective. Politkovaskaya fails to give the political and economical understanding to put things into perspective. As another review states, you will not find what progresses Russia has made under Putin in this book. It is not that critical though, as long one can get that perspective from other books. Polikovskaya gives an understanding of the people acting under this cicumstantions that I have seen no other books on contemporary Russia.

Especially Politkovskaya have written other books and articles on Chechnya, I think Chechnya has got too much coverage in the book, compared to other topics. It might be that she should have chosen a different title, instead of writing relatively less about Chechnya though. It is nothing wrong woth writing many books about Chechnya, it is just that the topic "Putin's Russia" is considerably broader than that.

Another review claims you can not find Politkovskayas books in Russia. I can confirm that I have found them in English in ordinary book-stores and Russian friends confirms they have fond them too.

Do read this book. Make sure you fill out the picture with other books on the Putin era and the political and economical development in Post-USSR Russia though.

Having read only a portion of the book i can only express mild shock due to the fact that power corrupts and absolute power absolutly corrupts.Mr Putin has much to ansewr for,whether he does will remain to be seen.
Anna Politcovskaya has to be admired for her courage,in the face of intimidation and death threats. To fearlessly pursue the truth and seek to expose a corrupt regime,provides us in the west with a most worthy example as long as we dont hold too dearly our life or reputation.This is very much like America with George and his cronies re:911 and New Zealand which is similar in that Mz Clark has a small group of people around her who are changing the social landscape of the country to fit their idea of a modern,all inclusive society, and blatently ignoring the express wishes of the people.May she enjoy her imminent retirement.A country or corporation,business will only grow and prosper according to the wishes,goals and desires of its leaders,be they people of integrity or corrupted by the privilege of power.

I had seen a piece on tv about Anna and the plight of journalism in Russia, so decided I had to learn more. I could not put this book down. Her courage in face of insurmountable danger for journalists during the Putin regime should humble any American journalist. I am saddened by the fact that she along with many other Russian journalists, ended up a victim of the very regime she wrote so bravely about.

I was also a bit taken back by some of the Putin regime activities that we could corrolate to recent political events in the U.S.

I think this book should be required reading in any/all high school and college journalism and political science classes.

This woman's murder is tragic. It shows the gangster nature of modern Russian politics. Ordinary Russians were severely traumatized by the Soviet collapse and the severe economic hardships that followed. Up until Gorbachev, the state controlled Media lied to them and told them the USSR was the most advanced nation on Earth and the United States and Europe were in their minds how we might today look at Mexico or Brazil in terms of living standards. Putin has played on their insecurities like a true KGB officer. He has planted in the minds most common people in Russia that he and his old KGB comrades are decent and patriotic men who are trying to save the nation from imagined and real enemies. Putin, Like Brezhnev before him won the oil lottery enabling him to raise incomes and instill in Russians a sense of national pride much like Ronald Reagan did in America in the 1980's. Unlike Reagan's America Putin's Great Russia plan is a house of cards built on high oil prices which are unlikely to last much longer. He is playing the anti America card which no-doubt plays wonderfully for older Russians nostalgic for Soviet military power. Yet today half the population lives in poverty, Whatever Russia is today I it is better now than ten years ago. The future looks worrisome, Putin has not been spending the oil bonanza on the country's infrastructure, health care, and other long term investments needed for future generations. Be antagonizing the West he is setting himself up to fail. I always considered Putin a worldly and intelligent man. I cannot believe he is repeating all of Brezhnev's errors.

A must read for all those contemplating on working, investing, living, or visiting Russia and before more authoritarian restrictions are implemented (or should I say the "New Soviet Russia" is completed?).

Ana Politkovskaya's book is a fast read, but the truthful descriptions may be shocking to some. For me, it brought back dark memories from my years working and living there. There is so much increadible [underlined] poverty outside the major cities (e.g., Moscow, St. Petersburg, etc.) and so much more she could have continued writing about... unfortunately, because there is no real free press anymore (& as far as I know, her books have never been published or sold in Russia) the majority of Russian citizens are misinformed and uninformed.

On the other hand, Russia is a vast and beautiful country and it's people (the "real" people) amiable, warm, and very hospitable (once they get to know you). The citizens want so much more for their country, but are afraid to make concrete changes in a unified manner, may not know how to move forward due to conditioning and oppression from the old and new regimes, or are terrified of reprisals. Thus, the current leadership is dismantling Russia's constitution, eliminating the opportunity for real democracy, and is building a "New Iron Curtain" behind the old one.

Again, a must read!

The AUTHOR'S NOTE states: "... this book is not an examination of Putin's policies. I am not a political analyst. I am just a person among many, a face in the crowd, like so many.... These are my immediate reactions, jotted down in the margins of life as it is lived in Russia today."

Well, Politkovskaya doesn't all together stick with this decree, but touches upon Putin's "policies" by way of presenting his lack of policy in helping his people.

There are many events detailed in this book: soldiers being beaten and tormented by their commanding officers. Family members trying to find out the truth about their loved one's death, or murder. Corruption plaguing the Russian judicial system. Yury Budanov's kidnapping of a young Chechen girl, her rape and murder trial. Examples of friends the author has known and how their lives (good and bad) have been affected by the changes in the wake of the New Russia. The gangster life being rife throughout Russia, given in the example of Pavel Anatolievich Fedulev. The storming of the Dubrovka Theater in Moscow during the "Nord-Ost" musical by Chechen terrorists wishing to end the war, and how the government unleashed an unknown gas that ended up killing 200 hostages. The waging of "Antiterrorist Operation Whirlwind" that caused the Chechen people living in Russia to be harassed, framed, and forced to sign confessions that they plotted the attack; many were sent to prison or lost their jobs. According to Politkovskaya it was "Putin's belief that an entire people must shoulder collective responsibility for the crimes committed by a few" pg 224. The hostage situation in the town of Beslan on the day of "Lineyka," the celebration of the beginning of school when many families were at the school. 100 people went missing and the government said that they fled with the terrorists (hu?).

One can't deny that something is happening in Russia. But I can't say I was won over with Politkovskaya's argument that Putin is entirely to blame for it's current state. This is partly due to the author's writing style, which must have been affected by the translation process (there are many words and phrases that come off sounding disjointed), which make for weak arguments. The stories Politkovskaya's shares with us are stories we outsiders have heard for a number of years under the old Soviet Union. Just because one has a new government everything cannot be expected to change quickly. It takes time. It does sound like Russia has reverted to old habits either because that's all its' leader's know, or it's their intentions to align themselves with communist ways in order to gain more power for themselves. The truth is, I don't know what progress has been made under Putin, and certainly you wont find any in Politkovskaya's book. The problem is that politics usually attract power and corruption. Place people with this tendency in a government rife with corruption and things are bound to fail. Unless Russia can find someone courageous enough to stand up to it, willing to put their life on the line, I fail to see how things will ever change.

One things for sure, I'm always amazed by the resilience of the Russian people. I always get a strong sense that they love their country dearly and want nothing more than to live in a free society where the rules are fair. Hopefully one day they will have this. Unfortunately the fact that Politkovskaya died for writing stories like this shows how far Russia still has to go in acheiving freedom.


Chapters:
"My Country's Army and Its Mothers"
"Our New Middle Ages, or War Criminals of All the Russias"
"Tanya, Misha, Lena, and Rinat: Where Are They Now?"
"How to Misappropriate Property with the Connivance of the Government"
"More Stories from the Provinces"
"Nord-Ost: The Latest Tale of Destruction"
"Akaky Akakievich Putin II"
"Postscripts"
"Notes"

Choosing journalism as an occupation in modern day Russia can result in dangerous and often deadly consequences. Anna Politkovskaya was a Russian journalist who chose such a career in spite of these potential risks. Fearless and honest, she refused to compromise her integrity as a journalist by writing nothing but the truth.
Working for one of the last liberal Moscow newspapers, "Novaya Gazeta", Politkovskaya committed herself to writing the truth about the war in Chechnya (which she openly and vehemently opposed), and the blatantly corrupt Russsian government.
In her third book, "Putin's Russia...", Politkovskaya exposes the instability of today's Russia due to the above mentioned corruption that infiltrates everything from business to politics to the military and to the court systems. Bribes are simply accepted as a way of life by bureaucrats and ordinary citizens alike. Although corruption and other forms of political and governmental "ugliness" exist in all countries, none exist to the extent witnessed in today's Russia. And for all of this Politkovskaya blames one man, Vladimir Putin (though she also places some blame on the western countries that have "bought into" the mask of democracy Putin wears during public appearances). Politkovskaya however, seeing through the guise, accurately defines Putin as a throwback from the past, as a ruthless, Soviet-style dictator.
All of Politkovskaya's "accusations" are supported by incontrovertible facts and examples. If nothing else, she was thorough in her research. She had no hidden agenda or score to settle in writing this or any of her books - she merely wanted to truth to be told.
Sadly, for telling the truth Anna Politkovskaya paid the ultimate price. On a Saturday afternoon in October 2006 she was shot twice in the head in the elevator of her apartment building while returning from grocery shopping. The shooting was, without a doubt, a contract killing and was probably approved, if not ordered, by Putin himself.
Though disturbing and sometimes difficult to stomach (as the truth often is), this book is a must read for all Russophiles and/or those just interested in the truth about modern day Russia. In addition, I highly recommend her three other books as well - "A Dirty War: A Russian Reporter in Chechnya", "A Small Corner of Hell: Dispatches from Chechnya" (neither of which were ever allowed to be published in Russia), and "A Russian Diary: A Journalist's Final Account of Life, Corruption, and Death in Putin's Russia".
K. Larson Amador

The book is listing case after case of atrocities of the russian army in Chechnia and the governments cover ups. The book displays systematic abuse of power and documents, that Russia is not a de facto democracy. This is tough reading and seamingly good journalism too. We cannot verify the reliability of the sources.
In the long run, the monotone listing of cases renders a numbness to the situation. But it is with out doubt interesting and a must read.

Based on Basaev and Sauda Arabia rules .

We'd have liked to see more sides to the problems of modern Russia.

Since the first chapter talks about the military problems, I did think it would be lite that the whole book but then I realized it does talk about almost all the major problems that Russia is faicing within, so quite a shocking view, even for a Russian person who has been living there at least half of her life :)

So, my recomendation - a good buy for people who want to know the real Russia...

The book is a collection of reportage of various institutions in the Russian political sphere, and how corruption has so warped them that it's hard to describe in common terms. The Russian judicial system is not a collection of judges; it is a collection of legal assistants to the mafia. The military does not defend Russia; it is a mafia with heavy weapons. The Duma does not represent the interests of the people; it represents the interests of Putin.

The author's thesis is that the war in Chechnya has been carried out with a total disregard for the difference between civilians and combatants, all Chechens are targets. The military and police forces embraced lawlessness in Chechnya and brought it back to Moscow. The author blames Putin the most because he is the only person in power capable of changing things, and instead he wants to play Czar. The validity of that assessment depends on a question. Does Putin own the mafias or do the mafias own Putin? I think academics will ponder that for a long time.

It should be noted that Anna Politkovskaya was assassinated in 2006, possibly for writing this book

The book is a collection of reportage of various institutions in the Russian political sphere, and how corruption has so warped them that it's hard to describe in common terms. The Russian judicial system is not a collection of judges; it is a collection of legal assistants to the mafia. The military does not defend Russia; it is a mafia with heavy weapons. The Duma does not represent the interests of the people; it represents the interests of Putin.

The author's thesis is that the war in Chechnya has been carried out with a total disregard for the difference between civilians and combatants, all Chechens are targets. The military and police forces embraced lawlessness in Chechnya and brought it back to Moscow. The author blames Putin the most because he is the only person in power capable of changing things, and instead he wants to play Czar. The validity of that assessment depends on a question. Does Putin own the mafias or do the mafias own Putin? I think academics will ponder that for a long time.

It should be noted that Anna Politkovskaya was assassinated in 2006, possibly for writing this book

Considering Ms. Politkovskaya's recent murder, it has become even more imperative to read this important and timely book. Despite what the reviewer beneath me may say, Ms. Politkovskaya was widely renowned among international journalists for her credentials and integrity. Spending many years documenting the truth of the Chechnyan war, she earned her well-deserved clout.

This book, while a bit over-simplistic (the rot inherent in modern Russia is not solely Mr. Putin's fault--Boris Yelston is largely to blame for setting up a culture of corruption and servitude) does tell the truth about what modern Russia is like, what's wrong with it, and those who refuse to do anything about it. Putin has done little to combat the violence and corruption in his government, and for good reason. He depends on the oligarchs for power.

Modern Russia has been sliding back into authoritarianism in recent years, but that is to be expected. Russia's foreign policy has always been to build itself up and secure warm water ports and control surrounding lands. It's been that way since the days of the Muscovites and Ivan. But Putin's regime is particularly nasty in that it claims to support a democracy in Russia. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Ms. Politkovskaya told the whole truth, and paid with it for her life.

This review applies to Small Corner of Hell and Putin's Russia. I read almost all of Anna's books and reports for Novaya Gazeta. It always struck me how dedicated and fearless (sadly she paid the ultimate price) she was to helping regular civilians living in Chechnya, and not just Chechens but Russians too. Her critics acuse her of being pro-chechen, but she also did plenty of reporting about Russian families who got stuck in the basements of Grozny during Russian carpet bombing campaign and for whom nobody in Russia really cared. She also wrote about regular Russian soldiers who are basically used as modern day slaves (Russian army is not voluntary).

If you are a Western reader trying to understand the roots of this conflict, Politkovskaya's books are probably a wrong choice. For that you have to read some history books addressing Russian history of the last 200 - 300 years. Start with Richard Pipes or something similar. Her books are reports of what's going on there now. As such they are great examples of what the REAL journalism should be. They also serve as a good source on what's really going on in Russia today. They would make a good foundation for a War Crimes Tribunal for both Russian and Chechen sides (or are they really just the same Gang), which hopefully will take place some day.

Finally, as others pointed out here the Publisher Weekly reviewer frankly does not know what he is talking about. He probably thinks Kim Jon Il is a legitimate ruler because 98% of North Koreans "vote" for him, too.