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Overview
The Russian democratic experiment continues under its third president, Vladimir Putin. Now in his second term, Putin was an unknown when he was handpicked by Boris Yeltsin to succeed him. Although Putin was quiet and almost withdrawn compared with the loud, large, and unpredictable Yeltsin, he held strong convictions about how the country should be managed and where he wanted to stand on the world's stage.As a boy in the slums of Leningrad, Putin dreamed of serving his country. Recruited by the Soviet secret police as a counterintelligence spy, he was responsible for stealing classified high-tech secrets from the West. But when the Soviet Union's Communist rule dissolved in November 1989, Putin returned to Leningrad angry and confused, and determined to find another way to serve this new country. His fierce patriotism and ambition led him to the top governmental position in Russia.
Synopsis
The Russian democratic experiment continues under its third president, Vladimir Putin. Now in his second term, Putin was an unknown when he was handpicked by Boris Yeltsin to succeed him. Although Putin was quiet and almost withdrawn compared with the loud, large, and unpredictable Yeltsin, he held strong convictions about how the country should be managed and where he wanted to stand on the world's stage.
As a boy in the slums of Leningrad, Putin dreamed of serving his country. Recruited by the Soviet secret police as a counterintelligence spy, he was responsible for stealing classified high-tech secrets from the West. But when the Soviet Union's Communist rule dissolved in November 1989, Putin returned to Leningrad angry and confused, and determined to find another way to serve this new country. His fierce patriotism and ambition led him to the top governmental position in Russia.
Children's Literature
This slim volume is a new addition to the "Modern World Leaders" series. An introduction by historian Arthur M. Schlesinger provides readers with background on the concept of leadership. This account of Putin's life begins with an interesting slice of life chapter and continues through his life in chronological order. He is the son of decorated World War II veterans, as both his parents served with honor in the Russian military. His early life was difficult. He was a bright student and selected to attend a special school when he was in ninth grade. From an early age, Putin was drawn to reading all he could about spying and espionage. He wanted to work for the Russian secret police, the KGB, when he finished high school. Advised to continue his education, Putin studied law at Leningrad University. He was successful in his quest to become a spy and had an excellent career throughout what is known as the Cold War period. However, the fall of communism and the Soviet Union forced him to find a new career. Politics became his chosen path. The book portrays Putin as a well-liked leader as he climbed the political ladder from city government to the Kremlin. He became Prime Minister of Russia and then President of Russia. Putin is a man who is devoted to his country. He remains a person who is seen as mysterious by people in the western world. End notes include a timeline of his life and important world events. A glossary is helpful for unfamiliar terms. The book includes many black-and-white and color photographs. This book is an excellent resource for middle and high school libraries. Reviewer: Sue Reichard