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  • The Oligarchs

  • Wealth and Power in the New Russia
  • Written by: David Hoffman
  • Narrated by: Steve Coulter
  • Length: 22 hrs and 50 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (9 ratings)

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The Oligarchs

Written by: David Hoffman
Narrated by: Steve Coulter
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Publisher's Summary

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.

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Informative and still relevant in 2022

this story still plays a role today, with Putin still in power and now trying to expand his regime into Ukraine

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  • 2021-02-03

Average

Knowing a lot on this subject, I wasn't impressed, very linear and mediocre narrative.
The narrator was great though, that's what made me go to the wnd anyways

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