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Putin's People: How the KGB Took Back Russia and Then Took on the West

Putin's People: How the KGB Took Back Russia and Then Took on the West

Best price now

$4.50at alibrisChecked Nov 10

60% under what the other stores charge

Compared across 3 stores. Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when. Store links may earn us a commission. Price via Klarna.

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Price facts

  • Last seen at $4.50 at alibris on Nov 10.
  • Checked at 3 stores.

Our take on the Putin's People: How the KGB Took Back Russia and Then Took on the West

Catherine Belton's Putin's People traces how a circle of former KGB officers, led by Vladimir Putin, took control of Russia's state, media and economy, then used that power to push back against the West. The book draws on interviews with former officials, oligarchs and insiders, and it became a landmark account of modern Russia. It suits readers who want a reported, narrative history rather than an academic survey. Compared with shorter journalistic treatments, it is denser and more detailed, and some critics say it leans hard on a single thesis.

Best forReaders of modern Russian and post-Soviet historyJournalism and politics studentsAnyone following Russia-West relationsReaders who prefer long-form investigative reporting
Pros
  • Deeply reported, with many first-hand interviews
  • Connects the KGB's rise to current geopolitics
  • Clear narrative structure across decades
  • Well sourced for a general-interest book
Cons
  • Dense and slow in places
  • Some critics say the central thesis is pushed too hard
  • Large cast of names can be hard to track
  • Heavy subject matter, not light reading

Putin's People: How the KGB Took Back Russia and Then Took on the West prices at every store

  • alibrisNew

    In stock

    $4.50Checked Nov 10
    Visit alibris
  • TargetNew

    In stock

    $11.39+ $5.99 shippingChecked Nov 10
    Visit Target
  • BooksamillionNew

    In stock

    $22.00+ $7.98 shippingChecked Nov 10
    Visit Booksamillion

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

Putin's People: How the KGB Took Back Russia and Then Took on the West price history

Lowest price we've seen: $4.50 on Nov 10 at alibris. Tracked across 3 stores since Nov 10.

What reviewers say

Reviewers and readers generally treat it as one of the key books on Putin's Russia, praising its reporting and access. Some find it long and occasionally one-sided, and a few note the dense cast of characters.

What people mention
  • ReportingPraisedReaders value the depth of interviews and sourcing behind the account.
  • ThesisMixedSome reviewers think the KGB-throughline is pushed harder than the evidence supports.
  • PaceCriticisedSeveral readers find the book dense and slow in parts.
  • RelevancePraisedReviewers say it explains current Russia-West tensions well.

From Target

  • Paperback edition of Putin's People by Catherine Belton
  • Published by Picador USA
  • Eligible for registries and wish lists
  • Available for pickup, delivery, or shipping

About the Putin's People: How the KGB Took Back Russia and Then Took on the West

Putin's People: How the KGB Took Back Russia and Then Took on the West is a book by Catherine Belton. This edition is a paperback published by Picador USA.

The text is in English.

Author
Catherine Belton
Format
Paperback
Publisher
Picador USA
Language
English

Specifications

Language
EnglishSource

Questions and answers

Is this a biography of Putin or a wider history?
It is a wider history of the KGB networks around Putin, not a personal biography. Putin is central, but the book follows many officials, oligarchs and institutions.
Do I need prior knowledge of Russian history?
No. The book explains the Soviet collapse and the 1990s from the ground up, though some familiarity with the period helps.
Is it the same as the earlier hardcover edition?
This is the paperback edition from Picador USA. The main text is the same; paperback editions may carry a new afterword or updated material.
How does it compare with other books on Putin's Russia?
It is longer and more detailed than most journalistic accounts, with more insider interviews. Readers wanting a shorter overview may find it heavy going.
Is it suitable for a book club or coursework?
Yes, for politics or history courses and serious book clubs. Its length and density make it better for readers who want depth.
Where is the Putin's People: How the KGB Took Back Russia and Then Took on the West cheapest?
At alibris, for $4.50, 60% under what the other stores charge, as of our latest check.
Where can I buy the Putin's People: How the KGB Took Back Russia and Then Took on the West?
3 stores we checked sell it, including alibris, Target, Booksamillion.

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