The Oligarchs
Wealth and Power in the New Russia
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The Oligarchs
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Narrated by:
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Steve Coulter
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By:
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David Hoffman
About this listen
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.Listeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about The Oligarchs
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- El
- 05-11-14
Excellent book
Would you consider the audio edition of The Oligarchs to be better than the print version?
The books tells the detailed story of what exactly happened to Russia's economy and state before and after the end of Soviet era. The book goes from the first realizations the system was failing, the reforms that unleashed a torrent of money-making initiatives, legal or not, and the intricated web of the 90s when state, oligarchs and media were all involved in complex and shady financial schemes while competing for power. It is a very wide and intricate string of events to relate in a single book. Nevertheless, the author manages to treat it with depth and clarity, either in a narration from a 'person' perspective or the explanation of nationwide changes and financial operations. Very interesting read to finally make sense of the history of Russia at that period.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Simon
- 10-11-16
A great narrative ruined by appalling narration
The author offers a comprehensive story of an amazing period of Russian history.
Unfortunately the whole thing is ruined by the narrator's total lack of ability to pronounce the names of people and places correctly, or even consistently.
I winced my way through 22 hours of what was otherwise an epic narrative.
Shocking, truly shocking.
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7 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Mister Peridot
- 23-05-15
Good book but hard to sustain interest
Excellent reading of book whivh is very well written and researched. Starts well with intersting background material about living in USSR. But found my interest really flagging half way through. Too much detail perhaps and you find it hard to care. Perhaps gets better again towards end, but not sure I will ever get there.
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5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- martin hetz
- 23-04-15
Fantastic book!
Such a great book! Hoffman had close and intimate access to all the power brokers, and shares the stories of quick money, politics, connections over this 10 or so year period as Russia moved from communism to something entirely different.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 13-03-16
Very good
A good book that gives an account of some of the Russian oligarchs antics, fascinating.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 13-04-22
Soviet death rattle still ongoing
interesting as ever in the spring of 2022 when Russia's onslaught on Ukraine is an ongoing event.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mike hayes
- 17-05-21
So much detail
The depth in which this book dives into the subject is extraordinary. It’s a long listen, and an absolute commitment at times, but well worth it.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 09-06-22
fantastic
brilliant listen. enjoyed every minute of this book. Will look for more by author
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 14-02-23
Enthralling story
… complex to follow and the narrator isn’t great. If you can keep up, very enjoyable, if highly alarming.
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