The Oligarchs

Wealth and Power in the New Russia

De: David Hoffman

Narrado por: Steve Coulter

A brilliant investigative narrative: How six average Soviet men rose to the pinnacle of Russia's battered economy. David Hoffman, former Moscow bureau chief for The Washington Post, sheds light onto the hidden lives of Russia's most feared power brokers: the oligarchs. Focusing on six of these ruthless men Hoffman reveals how a few players managed to take over Russia's cash-strapped economy and then divvy it up in loans-for-shares deals. Before perestroika, these men were normal Soviet citizens, stuck in a dead-end system, claustrophobic apartments, and long bread lines. But as Communism loosened, they found gaps in the economy and reaped huge fortunes by getting their hands on fast money. They were entrepreneurs. As the government weakened and their businesses flourished, they grew greedier. Now the stakes were higher. The state was auctioning off its own assets to the highest bidder.

The tycoons go on wild borrowing sprees, taking billions of dollars from gullible western lenders. Meanwhile, Russia is building up a debt bomb. When the ruble finally collapses and Russia defaults, the tycoons try to save themselves by hiding their assets and running for cover. They turn against one another as each one faces a stark choice - annihilate or be annihilated. The story of the old Russia was spies, dissidents, and missiles. This is the new Russia, where civil society and the rule of law have little or no meaning.

©2002, 2003, 2011 David E. Hoffman (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Very comprehensive account

This book was well written and very thorough in its account of the rise of the Oligarchs. Perhaps it could have been a little less in depth in some places, as at times the story got quite slow and the overall listen time was quite lengthy. Generally very good, however.

Very detailed and informative

I think this book is a must for anyone trying to understand russian politics today.

Compelling History - Rise of the First Oligarchs

When the Soviet Union collapsed and ailing President Boris Yeltsin relaxed restrictions on foreign capital, he set in motion an asset-grabbing, profit-generating nightmare in which, without the structures required to keep raw capitalism in check, billions were made and Russia's crown jewel resources divided among a brilliant, ruthless few. This story tracks these first oligarchs up to the rise of Vladimir Putin, when everything changed. Disgraced, deported or jailed few of the billionaires remained unscathed. Putin installed a new breed of oligarchs whose loyalty to the autocratic Putin remains unquestioned. A highly detailed history of Russia's version of the wild, wild west.

Russian words are badly mispronounced

Where does The Oligarchs rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Russian words are badly mispronounced

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Russian words are badly mispronounced

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Russian words are badly mispronounced

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Russian words are badly mispronounced

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Russian words are badly mispronounced

No judgment by the author for any side is great

no emotions for any side for such a book is very hard, but the author made it.