The Man Without a Face

The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin

By: Masha Gessen

Narrated by: Masha Gessen

National Book Award winner Masha Gessen's biography of a ruthless man's ascent to near-absolute power.

“In a country where journalists critical of the government have a way of meeting untimely deaths, Gessen has shown remarkable courage in researching and writing this unflinching indictment of the most powerful man in Russia.” —The Wall Street Journal

“Thanks to fearless reporting and acute psychological insights, Masha Gessen has done the impossible in writing a highly readable, compelling life of Russia's mysterious president-for-life.” –Tina Brown, The Daily Beast

The Man Without a Face is the chilling account of how a low-level, small-minded KGB operative ascended to the Russian presidency and, in an astonishingly short time, destroyed years of progress and made his country once more a threat to his own people and to the world.

Handpicked as a successor by the "family" surrounding an ailing and increasingly unpopular Boris Yeltsin, Vladimir Putin seemed like a perfect choice for the oligarchy to shape according to its own designs. Suddenly the boy who had stood in the shadows, dreaming of ruling the world, was a public figure, and his popularity soared. Russia and an infatuated West were determined to see the progressive leader of their dreams, even as he seized control of media, sent political rivals and critics into exile or to the grave, and smashed the country's fragile electoral system, concentrating power in the hands of his cronies.

As a journalist living in Moscow, Masha Gessen experienced this history firsthand, and for The Man Without a Face has drawn on information and sources no other writer has tapped. This account of how a "faceless" man maneuvered his way into absolute—and absolutely corrupt—power is the definitive biography of Vladimir Putin.

Masha Gessen has the key to understanding Putin

This was an outstanding book, and it was wonderful to hear Masha’s Narration. The storytelling was fantastic, and the insights and sidebars fascinating. I feel like I just learned about what made Russia tick from Yeltsin to today. Thank you Masha for so courageously covering Putin, the thug.

A remarkable story about the rise of a dictator.

Gessen writes in a somewhat dry and matter of fact style that seem to be very Russian. The subject matter is also very Russian of course. It is a fascinating story with an incredible amount of detail exposing the rise of a not too sofisticated street thug to become the head of the Russian federation. He later develops into a worldwide egomaniac. The connection to the present authoritarian US President makes it even more contemporary and interesting for any American who wants to understand the relationship between US and Russia.

Excellent history and analysis and Putin

I already knew, as does everyone in the free world now, that Putin is a monster. This excellent book, written and narrated by a courageous Russian reporter who had to flee the country, is nevertheless an eye-opener. It should be required reading by everyone, especially, to the extent possible, by Russians. Unfortunately it will be impossible for most Russians for obvious reasons. The author provides a detailed account and analysis of Putin’s life, thinking, and character that is incredibly insightful and frightening.

Clear and intelligent political reporting

Gessen is an excellent writer and witness of Russia's return to the totalitarian failed state of Lenin and Stalin. In a precise, direct narrative she chronicles how KGB operative Putin, with sullen cunning, stumbled into his dictatorship thereby completely closing any hope of individual political freedom opened by the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Glimpse into the rise of Vladimir Putin

Eye opener for anyone interested in Putin rise from FSB stooge to perhaps the most dangerous man against Democracy