The New Nobility

The Restoration of Russia's Security State and the Enduring Legacy of the KGB

De: Andrei Soldatov, Irina Borogin

Narrado por: Christian Rummel

In The New Nobility, two courageous Russian investigative journalists open up the closed and murky world of the Russian Federal Security Service.

While Vladimir Putin has been president and prime minister of Russia, the Kremlin has deployed the security services to intimidate the political opposition, reassert the power of the state, and carry out assassinations overseas. At the same time, its agents and spies were put beyond public accountability and blessed with the prestige, benefits, and legitimacy lost since the Soviet collapse.

The security services have played a central and often mysterious role at key turning points in Russia during these tumultuous years: from the Moscow apartment house bombings and theater siege, to the war in Chechnya and the Beslan massacre. The security services are not all-powerful; they have made clumsy and sometimes catastrophic blunders. But what is clear is that after the chaotic 1990s, when they were sidelined, they have made a remarkable return to power, abetted by their most famous alumnus, Putin.

©2010 Irina Borogan, Andrei Soldatov (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"A relentless investigation that demonstrates how, with Putin’s rise, the KSB has taken its place ‘at the head table of power and prestige in Russia.’" ( Kirkus)

"Few people are better placed than Mr. Soldatov and Ms. Borogan to write with authority on this subject.... The publication of the The New Nobility in English is welcome; it should be essential reading for those who hold naïve hopes about Russia's development or who pooh-pooh the fears of its neighbors. " (Edward Lucas, The Wall Street Journal)

A little difficult to follow

A complex subject and at times not that easy to follow. The narrator has problems with pronunciation, although ironically not for most Russian names. The worst was the United Arab Emigrants, rather than Emerates.

Engaging and shocking

The last two decades of the political police in Russia. The book focuses on fighting with the opposition and Chechens.

Several Truths revealed.

What did you love best about The New Nobility?

The different revelations.

What other book might you compare The New Nobility to and why?

I can't think of one.

What does Christian Rummel bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Excellent narration.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Nope.

Any additional comments?

An excellent look at the rise of the new KGB.

Excellent book Analysis with integrity

Highly recommend the book but The narration leaves something to be desired. It was the worst pronunciation in any book I have listen to and he tried to make bad people sound evil which was over-the-top.