I, Putin

by Jennifer Ciotta

* Winner of Honorable Mentions at the New York Book Festival & Hollywood Book Festival!

* Amazon Kindle Top 100 Paid Best Seller in Historical Russian Fiction, Historical European History, Russian History & Alternative History!

WHAT MAKES VLADIMIR PUTIN TICK? DELVE INTO HIS PSYCHE!

Vladimir Putin, the enigmatic, controversial president of Russia, is faced with a decision so harrowing, it changes him forever. It's the year 2000. Newly elected President Putin is embattled after the Kursk submarine explodes and spirals into the abyss. 118 submariners are trapped. Outwardly, Putin seems not to care, but behind the scenes is another story. Meanwhile, the Russian people yearn for a response from their leader. Mass protests ignite across Russia. Does Putin save the sailors and unite his beloved motherland, or does he lose everything?

Discover what motivates the man behind Russia. Is he the cold, ruthless leader you know, or is he...human?

Genres: Russia, Biography, Politics, History, Memoir, Nonfiction

210 pages, Paperback

First published January 23, 2012

About the author

Jennifer Ciotta is the author of "I, Putin" (Vladimir Putin novel), which won Honorable Mentions at the New York Book Festival & Hollywood Book Festival, 2012. It continues to hit these Amazon Kindle Top 100 Paid Best Seller lists: Russian History, Historical European Fiction, and Historical Russian Fiction. It is Ciotta's debut novel. She is also the author of the "No Bulls**t Guide to Self-Publishing," which has hit the Amazon Kindle Top 100 Paid Best Seller list in Education & Reference. Besides her writing career, she is a book manuscript editor at Pencey X Pages. She holds a master's degree in creative writing and Russian studies from the Gallatin School at New York University. Additionally, she was Editorial Director of Literary Traveler magazine for five years, and she was a Peace Corps volunteer in Estonia from 2000 to 2002.

Reviews

[Jennifer Ciotta · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's my book, so I give it five stars!!!

[Debbie "DJ" · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really interesting read. How to write about a man who is so stoic, and a country so reserved. I believe the author succeeded in bringing them both to light. While this book delves lightly into former Russian presidents, it's main focus is on the Kursk disaster where hundreds of Russians were abandoned when their submarine exploded. This sub was built to show the world Russia was a real contender. It was Russia's pride and joy, and carried numerous nuclear weapons. This book looks at Putin's reaction to this event. It also gives a good look at Putin's background which I found very interesting. He chose the only path available to him to keep him and his family out of poverty. Also, I loved the references about Clinton in his early days. I'm giving this 4 stars instead of 5, because at times it felt a little convoluted. A great read.

[Ira Therebel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess my rating may seem too harsh, so I would like to explain that I stick to the one suggested by goodreads. In this case 2 is "ok". I don't dislike it, but I don't like it either.

I had mixed feelings about the book before I even got it. I was interested in it just like I am in all books about Russia and the rest of ex Soviet countries. I did worry I may dislike it after I read the author's blog. Her seemingly big liking for Putin and current Russia made me worried it will be a huge tribute to him. At the same time all reviews were great, all amazing ratings, so considering that the West usually doesn't love him or Russia very much it made me very curious.

I did really like the beginning. I could see the author made a great research on the living conditions back in the days because i could really recognize the country of my childhood (i was born a few decades after Putin, but I guess there wasn't much change in those days).

Another thing I liked was author's great narrative style. Very pleasant and descriptive.

Now to the things that stopped me from liking the book as a whole.

The book was supposed to present Putin as a human. Well I always saw him as a human (most of the details told in the book are known to Russian people, but may be more interesting to the rest), only I always saw him as a nasty human. And nothing changed here. I couldn't empathize with him. He is a guy in this book who has no sympathy for his neighbor who was left alone with kids, nor for her children. A guy who can't sympathize with people who grew up in a broken home, with an incompetent mother and ended up in prostitution or with alcohol problems gets no sympathy from me either. Unfortunately most of the country is like that now, so they deserve him.

Also I feel the book is a bit simplistic about his character. Thinking of his childhood as a small bullied kid doesn't really open much to me, it isn't a very deep perspective, I think I may have been a bit disappointed here (but maybe as someone with interest in psychology i expected too much, just felt that the character wasn't deep nor explained much to me on him)

And finally I must say I really didn't like Putin's interaction with Clinton. I love Clinton, my favorite president of the world ever. But the whole story involving him seemed just kind of weird, almost bizarre to me.

I would not stop people from reading the book, there are definitely a lot of positive things for people interested in Russia and the high ratings here show that I must be an exception. It just really wasn't for me.

*I got this book for free through goodreads giveaways*

[Bob Zaslow · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has focused on Putin as a character in a novel rather than a purely biographical account of his life.
And as a character, he has goals. He has needs and wants. He's driven to achieve. And it's that drive which propels the story forward. LIke any complex character he isn't any one thing, but has elements of good and bad. He's a character I kept rooting for. At the outset, I didn't think that would have been possible. But this is a story about a highly intelligent man who has raised the bar to its highest point and faces great odds to achieve his goals. It's about a man with foibles and strengths, and Ciotta lets us hear how he plans and schemes to survive.

In addition, there's enough action to satisfy Tom Clancy readers. And enough savvy political discussion to satisfy savvy political types. All in all, a delicious mix of history, biography, politics and dramatic tension, which is why I rated this novel five stars. I loved it.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will return to write my review that "I Putin" by Jennifer Ciotta deserves. What I can say now is that I stayed up until 1am reading "I, Putin" and that I set my alarm to wake me up this morning at 5am so I could have some uninterrupted alone time with "Putin" - I think that statement in and of itself conveys how I feel this book and its author, Jennifer Ciotta, don't you?

"I, Putin " Wins Honorable Mentions at the New York Book Festival and Hollywood Book Festival! BRAVA!!!

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always believed there are specific "tipping points" - moments of uncertainty - when the outcome of an event or nation or a life hangs in the balance below a swinging pendulum. It often takes time and insight to identify those moments as we try piece together the story of how things came to be. But when you can identify one of those moments, you possess a kind of prism that didn't exist before that allows you to see everything else much more clearly. Jennifer Ciotta identifies Vladimir Putin's moment (and likely the new Russia's as well) as the time of the Kursk submarine disaster.

Many people in the West will come to this book with preconceived opinions on Vladimir Putin, most of them grossly misinformed. Despite more than 20 years having passed since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the emergence of the Russian Federation, it's still very difficult for many Americans (even ones that were born into a world having never known a USSR) to shake the mentality of the enemy competing with America. Vladimir Putin is the bogeyman, the conditioned symbol of the "other." In "I, Putin," Jennifer Ciotta tries to at least dispel the notion that Putin is the cold war spy and autocrat intent on turning the clocks back to Soviet time.

Much of the book is told through present-day Putin's dictations to his assistant, Gosha, as he prepares his memoirs for publishing. It's through these memories that Putin begins to be portrayed as a very familiar human being, deserving of understanding if not our sympathy; a child unsure, frail, seeking approval but instead given the condescending sobriquet "Goulash Pants" because he carries home some of his lunch each day to feed his only "friends" - the rats in his building. We learn of the refuge he found in Judo and how it was to shape his thinking as he progressed through the Soviet system he existed in but never fully embraced. And Ciotta goes on to provide sporadic glimpses into a domestic life with a very recognizable wife and children not so different from what we see in any western household. Then we also learn of his father, a good Soviet but a distant and sad man with his own mysterious past who serves as the backdrop for all the conflict that happens throughout Putin's life.

When the Kursk accident occurs, Putin has only been President for a few months and is still trying to find his place in the mess that Boris Yeltsin left him. Factions are still struggling to gain control of the new nation and any outward displays of weakness are certain to bring ruin. Add to this an earthquake, insurrection, and pressure from all directions, and Putin is at first overwhelmed and seems in over his head, just following along the old path and doing as he is advised. In the midst of all this, on the brink of disaster, Putin experiences his moment of clarity and suddenly and unexpectedly grabs the reins.

I've always been fascinated by Putin and I was greatly looking forward to reading such a unique look at the man. I'm also a fan of "fictionalized" history like this and Ciotta does a wonderful job of making us wonder where the fact and fiction divide because it's all very believable. Overall, I'm honestly pleased with the insights that Ciotta offers here and I love her writer's "voice." There were, however, a few things that prevented me from fully enjoying it:

- Narrative Focus. It's possible that having read this only once, it may have been my own lack of attention but I was confused several times at who was telling the story and had to stop and go back to check if I hadn't missed something. Much of it is told as Putin remembering but it also shifts back and forth between what other characters are thinking or doing.

- Subject Focus. For the length of the book, I think a bit too much time was devoted to Gosha, Putin's assistant. I understand he was used as a foil to highlight the personality of Putin but much detail was given over to him that in the end didn't matter. Also, the last third of the book contains Bill Clinton's very real friendship with and influence upon Vladimir Putin. Ciotta spends many pages describing Clinton's first visit to Moscow in 1969 as well as his infidelities and marital problems (including one unfortunate phrase describing Hillary's lack of libido) that really have no bearing upon the tale. Ciotta seemed to genuinely love writing about Clinton and I can't help but have a sneaky feeling that she might have rather written a story about him instead.

I congratulate Jennifer Ciotta on a good book and give "I, Putin" a solid 3.75 stars (which means a Goodreads 4), and I'd honestly recommend it to anyone not only looking for more insight into what makes Vladimir Putin tick but to anyone looking for a good read. I'll be one of the first to buy her next book whatever subject she chooses to tackle.

[Brian Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I, Putin…..i just read it. a signed copy no less. really good stuff, Jennifer. i've had a thing (a big, bad, ugly thing) against Putin for a long time now. the recent Pussy Riot verdict hasn't helped any. imho, he's bad news, but your book makes him almost human. and some of his actions defensible. no small feat………GOOD JOB! i've always said that what makes a writer great isn't JUST the way that person writes. it's the premise upon which he or she hangs a story. Will Self's COCK & BULL follows the tale of a weekend soccer warrior whose cleat gash behind his left knee turns into a vagina; look what Voltaire did w/ CANDIDE, for crying out loud; and, the late great David Foster Wallace writing as only he could about a bored IRS worker in Normal, Illinois? Preposterous….one and all. and all equally brilliant. now, back to you…….a sometimes first person narrative novel by Vladimir Putin? welcome to the genius club, JC! (not that i'm in it, too, mind you…..i just know one when i see one!) there is one thing though…who edited this particular printing, Helen Keller? you are being undermined by shoddy proofreading. i saw at least three glaring eff-ups………(e.g. on 161: "The friend seizes up the boy with a swaying head……" REALLY?) don't let some fool bring you down, Jennifer. your hard work demands better. never, ever settle for less…..in yourself AND in your "support team." that said, thanks for such a great read & a thrilling ride.

cheers,

brian morris

p.s. i live in bedford, ny & hope to meet you when you make an appearance at our humble, free local in november!

[David Carraturo · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion, Jennifer Ciotta accomplished what I believe is very difficult to do, and that is seemlessly blend fiction and fact in a very entertaining biography (it actually read like an autobiography) of a man the vast majority of Americans know little or nothing about.

Vladimir Putin to most westerners is an enigma and this story provides a detailed look at his life from many angles. Whether it is his hard upbringing, cutting his teeth as a KGB agent, his first days as the Russian leader or fast forwarded to the present day as the current leader she nailed every aspect of his life. You could also tell Jennifer did a tremendous amount of research to get the reader into living and breathing Russia. This is a very difficult thing to accomplish as not many people know the in's and out's of Russia beyond the broadstokes we envision as being from the US.

I was also impressed by her interweaving the Kursk submarine tragedy and Putin's interactions with Bill Clinton throughout the story. Her Bill Clinton chapters were actually very amusing and her accounts of the Kursk victims last breaths was very realisic.

I would recommend this book to all types of readers. Yes, those who have an interest in Putin will like this tremendously, but I would also encourage those who are looking for a unique, differentiated read to also pick this book up.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn't the sort of ruminative character study I expected from the title, but a page-turning political suspense story of a stark and melancholy (Russian) sort. It's sad, it's funny, and I liked the brief appearance of the university student Bill Clinton. Every time I see Putin in the news now, I'm going to involuntarily think of him as Ciotta has portrayed him. I wonder how close her version is to reality.

[Ellen]

Unusual and fascinating.

[Mark Maguire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have just finished reading this book.


The book was brought to my attention by Jennifer Ciotta following a review that I had posted on Goodreads concerning Vladimir Putin's' "First Person" account of his rise to power.

The majority of my friends and family are aware of the admiration that I have for Vladimir Putin. From my readings, it strikes me that Mr Putin is a man who is driven by both the resurrection of Mother Russia, and the logically necessary destruction of the former Communist Party / Oligarchs, which, in his eyes, possess an impossible level of control over National Resources.

Furthermore, Mr Putin is, arguably, more focused on these systemic problems that choke Russian society and the economy, more so than he is by the "thoughts" and "feelings" of the Russian population themselves.


There is also an element of national chauvinism which binds Mr Putin's world view together, particularly when Russia, and the World, had been subjected to the drunken meanderings of Boris Yeltsin. Jennifer Ciotta's book plays on this trait of character, and the systemic difficulties that Mr Putin faces, and binds it to the sinking of the Kursk and compares his response to the self-interested responses of those offering "aid" or urging humanity.


In many ways, the Kursk has become a metaphor for Mr Putin's "inhumanity" in Western Europe. The narrative of I, Putin is peppered with accounts of the conditions on board on the Submarine, and the realisation that they are on their own, and that death was the only guarantee. The irritating and self-interested bleating of Mr Putin's Personal Assistant and those of Bill Clinton, ironically, did more to seal the Sailor's fate as Mr Putin became increasingly irritated by foreign knowledge of the lack of Russia's Navy to provide a tangible response.

In contrast to the seemingly endless tide of pro-market; Christian Right or Socially democratic left - leaning politicians whom dominate discourse in across the majority of Mainland Europe. Mr Putin is a man who appears to be on a personal crusade to restore Russia by confronting it's problems, irrespective of public opinion, and whatever the political cost to himself. This book draws this character trait out by way the account of Mr Putin's time with the KGB, but also, his formative years in the austerity of the dying days of the USSR. With the political discourse being entirely one way, and human agency limited to the perpetration of Marxism - Leninism, it is perhaps understandable as to how, in the post USSR world, Mr Putin is unwilling to those with vested interests. The underlying factor behind this, as I Putin's' narrative highlights, is again, national chauvinism, and the parlous economic situation the Mr Putin was operating within at the time. The Nation had collapsed and became atomised, and international understandings of developments in Russia were limited to ridicule and / or Cold War fear.


The lack of a response to the Kursk for a number of days, put Mr Putin at odds with conventional understandings of public relations. His apparent silence was the antithesis of the average European politician, who would have made a bold proclamation about saving those on board within the hour, and then, almost inevitably, setting a Public Enquiry which would rattle on for at least a year following their own personal failure. Mr Putin did neither, and arguably,made a calculation on the probability of survival versus the technical requirements of "saving" the Sailors, and the National embarrassment of asking for help. Jennifer Ciotta brilliantly captures the Western tendency towards Public Relations in the discourse between Bill Clinton and Vladimir Putin. Where Bill Clinton urges Mr Putin to accept international aid to save the Sailors of the Kursk, for the sake of Mr Putin's electoral popularity, and the essential humanity of the stricken Sailors.


I enjoyed reading the book, and walk away from it with the same thoughts and feelings towards the main character as before. The book ably highlights how, little we know about Russian society, and the motivations that drive the populace on a day to day basis. It is all too easy, and common, to brand Mr Putin as a Totalitarian, or "closet Communist" when a particular response isn't in keeping with Liberal Democratic principles.


Any book which can resist the pervasive tendency to label, and which seeks to provide an account for human agency in a cogent manner, such as I, Putin, is recommended reading.

[Matt Mitrovich · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can be said about the controversial president of Russia, Vladimir Putin? He has brought considerable economic growth and stability to Russia, but is accused of being undemocratic. He is a martial arts enthusiast, whose "tough guy" image is dismissed as a publicity stunt. So what are the real motivations of the three time president of Russia? Jennifer Ciotta in her novel I, Putin attempts to answer that question.

We get a glimpse of the real Putin thanks to Gosha Golubev, his fictional personal aide. As Putin is re-elected for his third term as president, Gosha struggles to find a real life while dealing with the demands of working for the cold and stoic Putin. As part of his duties, Gosha has to record Putin as he dictates his memoirs. From this we learn about Putin humble upbringing. As a child Putin and his parents shared a one-bedroom apartment with two other families. Small and bullied at school, Putin gained self-confidence by learning judo and eventually rose through the ranks of the Soviet government as a KGB agent.

The meat of the story, however, focuses on how Putin dealt with the Kursk explosion. On August 12, 2000, Putin is commemorating the anniversary of his father’s death by journeying to Narva, Estonia to learn about his father's WWII past, something the elder Putin refused to speak of. While there explosions rip through the prized submarine of the Russia navy, the Kursk, killing most of the 118 sailors on board and trapping the survivors underwater.

As the crisis becomes know, Putin returns to Moscow and learns that there is no hope in rescuing the trapped sailors. Putin refuses to accept international aid for fear of exposing the weakness of the Russian military. His failure to act cause violent protest that drive him from Moscow and into a secure location near the Estonian border. Putin, however, comes to distrust his bodyguards and believes that a shift of power may be on the horizon in Russia. Putin now faces a dilemma: does he stay the course and doom Russia to chaos or does he ignore his instincts and accept outside help?

Though more secret history/historical fiction than alternate history, the book was still an enjoyable read. Ciotta managed to turn Putin into a sympathetic character, something you do not see often in western media. Other world leaders make cameos in the story. Russia's first president Boris Yeltsin, who is close to being the comic relief in the novel, was often so intoxicated that Putin and other subordinates were forced to run the country in his stead. Bill Clinton also makes an appearance and was one of the more compelling characters in the novel. We get an insight into the former American president's abusive past and how he to came from nothing to become one of the most powerful men in the world. If Ciotta ever writes another novel like I, Putin, I would love to see her take on Clinton.

I would love to give the novel a higher grade, but at 179 pages, it is a rather short read. Ciotta often skimmed over parts of Putin's life that could have been given more attention. Then there is Gosha, who is the source of the information about Putin. I felt a strong connection to him, but his character was underdeveloped. Nevertheless, the e-book price is reasonable and I recommend picking up the novel if you want to read a sympathetic tale about Russia's controversial president.

[Smaran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had some knowledge about Putin before reading this book. But after reading this novel, I feel like there's only little more I might want to know about Mr.Vladimir Putin. Jennifer has done a marvelous work that is worth applauding and I am sure by now she's received a fair share of it. Coming back to the novel, I don't consider it as one. No doubt it has some made up stories and everything, but as the author has confirmed in a post on goodreads that most of the things mentioned here are actually true. According to me this one should be published like a research on Putin, his psyche, an authoritative book on Putin.

It was truly fascinating reading it. His childhood, his KGB career, and then a marathonic jump into the Presidency of Russia. What were the turning points in his life. Jennifer has written the story so well, that I could feel myself transported back to Kremlin, walking its streets alone, feeling the joy it brings to see its beauty and its grandiose. It makes me feel go back to Russia, although its been only 6 months. The book had a fair share of humour, emotion, and politics. Which I love. I still remember and laugh over and over again when Boris Yeltsin was in the White House, getting up in the middle of the night, still drunk and yelling "Pizza Pizza" with only his underwear on. lolz

This book washes away all the accusations west makes against him, which go like a KGB agent and stuff. Now I can feel how it feels to be Putin, carrying such a big nation on one's shoulders, what is takes to do that and what one must do to ensure its well being. I am sure after reading this book one would realize, Putin did what he had to do in this whole Ukrainian crisis. He took control of Crimea, to show the West that they shouldn't further violate the treaty that prevents NATO from allying with the former soviet states. What enraged Putin into capturing Crimea was that he couldn't let U.S.A and its allies further surround Russia. One might say in modern times nations such as U.S.A don't think like that, according to me that's far from the truth. U.S.A has bases all around the world and its always trying to establish new ones. How many of you know, one U.S base is right below India, known as "British Indian Ocean Territory". I am an Indian and didn't knew about it until recently. Majority of the population of India doesn't know about it. Coming back to the topic, one must read this book to understand the psychology of Putin, which is no way an evil character as the West portrays him to be. A person in power has to make hard choices for one country's future, and Putin is no exception, the author has clearly tried to explain it to the reader.

I request Jennifer to please write more books like these, and thank you for such a fascinating read.

[Frank O'Neill · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first learned that Jennifer Ciotta wrote ‘I Putin’ in the Russian President’s own voice, I thought “this woman has cajones.” How do you pull off a story about such a public figure writing in the first person? Especially one as inscrutable and vilified in the U.S. as Vladimir Putin.

Well, Jennifer Ciotta pulls it off magnificently. I Putin is actually written both from Putin’s perspective as he dictates his memoirs to his fictional personal aide Gosha Golubev and from the perspective of Gosha himself. It’s a sometimes delightful, sometimes unsettling look at the private life of a man who is usually portrayed in the U.S. as a megalomaniac, a dictator, a ruthless imperialist. Much of the book’s charm comes from the portrayal of Gosha, a humble kid who never does understand how he became the personal aide to the President of Russia.

I Putin chronicles the man’s life from his dreadful early years when his parents shared a one-bedroom apartment with two other families to his rise to President of the Russian Federation. Young Vladimir was small and frail, the perfect target for bullies. So he learns judo, gains confidence, evolves from a poor student to a high achiever, quickly showing that he’s destined for greatness. After graduating from college, he joins the KGB, and quickly becomes a star. In 2000, he replaces Boris Yeltsin, who struggles with a serious drinking problem, as Acting President of the Russian Federation.

Perhaps the most compelling part of this slim book is the way Putin handles the 2000 explosion aboard the Kursk, Russia’s premier submarine. Although it appears that all 118 seamen aboard the sub will die under the Barents Sea if Putin doesn’t accept foreign intervention, he does nothing until the Russian people cry for his ouster. He leaves Moscow in fear that he’s about to be overthrown and goes into hiding on the Estonian border. While there, he meets with U.S. President Bill Clinton, who convinces him to accept help from the U.S. and Britain. It’s too late to save the sailors on the Kursk, but it does save his presidency.

Although Ciotta’s Putin can be cold and aloof, she’s managed to write a book that also shows a more human side. I Putin is both charming and insightful. It’s particularly timely today, when the man is accused of fomenting revolution in the Ukraine and renewing the Cold War between East and West. I Putin is Jennifer Ciotta’s first book. It’s a terrific debut. I can’t wait for the next one.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story opens in 2012 with Gosha, Putin's personal assistant, preparing his mother for burial as fast as he can before he needs to be back at work. Apparently there are no days off, even for a death in the family. Gosha returns to work, discovers that Putin knows where he was and what he was doing. Nothing can be hidden from the former KGB man. This establishes that Putin is powerful and scary. Part of Gosha's work is transcribing Putin's memoirs. This is the device by which the narrative voice changes from third person - Gosha's point of view to first person - Putin telling his own story. Putin describes his childhood and education, judo mastery and meeting his wife, his years with the KGB and his rise to power under Yeltsin. I thought Jennifer Ciotta did a great job presenting Putin as human and clarifying his ideology somewhat - at least that he recognizes the flaws of communism. Alternating between Putin's memoir and Gosha's point of view, the reader arrives in the year 2000 and the first three months of Putin's presidency. The Kursk submarine disaster. From this point, the Kursk submarine disaster dominates the book and is presented as the defining event leading to Putin's acceptance of foreign aid - too late to save the submariners but in time to save Putin's presidency - and solidifying Putin's taking decisive control of Russia.

This is a very readable book. The subject is interesting - at least to me - and generally the flow of the narrative is fairly smooth. A few things bugged me. Occasionally, especially later in the book, the narrative falters. I believe this is due to shifting not just point of view, but also time and location, too often or too abruptly, and sometimes I had to stop and check who was talking and where I was. The other sort of disjointed part of the book was the bit on Bill Clinton. A lot of time was spent on his 1969 visit to Moscow, his marital problems and so forth for a book about Vladimir Putin. None of these flaws prevented me from enjoying the story. A very readable book.

I received this book from the author for the purpose of review.

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

( Format : Audiobook )
"I will never be weak again."
Jennifer Ciotta has written an intriguing novel crafted around the outer viewed and inner felt personality of the long time leader in Russian politics, Vladimir Putin. Based, as I understand it, on an autobiographical series of articles which appeared in the press, and using as the fulcram of his life direction the traumatic incident of the explosions on board the submarine, Kersh, which sank it and it's crew to the depths of the ocean. Without the means to rescue any possible survivors, Putin had to face the ire of the whole world as well as the Russian people or accept international aid to save them.r

Part written in the first person, but switching between Putin's perception and that of several others, including his Personal aid, President Bill Clinton, and the parents of one of the officers trapped aboard the submarine and the man himself, the text also moves backwards and forwards in time. This can cause the reader momentary difficulties in understanding. But it is this very movement which enhances the addictive and thrilling pace of the book. And it is thrilling, even if the reader knows what will happen.
The book is nicely written, giving a panoramic view of a brief slice of time and some of the major players. It is also very well read. Paul Hart has a pleasant voice with good intonation and a brisk delivery but even his performance cannot always prevent some initial confusion as chapters shift between first person perspective and third party observation.

My thanks to the rights holder of I, Putin, who, at my request freely gifted me with a complimentary copy via Audiobook Boom. How accurate is the portrayal of Putin, so frequently vilified in the British press, I do not know. But the story is engrossing and works well as a simple piece of fiction. Well worth reading.

[Casey Hendley · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a lightly fictionalized re-write (I will stop short of calling it outright plagiarism, but only out of politeness) of Vladimir V. Putin's own autobiographical accounts collected in "First Person: An Astonishingly Frank Self-Portrait by Russia's President Vladimir Putin" from 2000, originally published as a serial in Russian newspapers, shortly after Putin became President.

The author demonstrates a lack of understanding of Russia, Russian people, Russian culture, and certainly of Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. Throwing in some clumsy prose about the man himself and his administrative assistant doesn't make this an original book.

This book will appeal will appeal to people whose knowledge of Russia is lacking, or nonexistent, and the sort of person who thinks CNN and mainstream Western media reports about Russia are truthful. They aren't, and this isn't a good book. I repeatedly uncover plagiarism in so-called "novels" by American authors set in Russia ("Vodka" by Boris Starling, 2006, is another example - overall not a terrible novel, but word-for-word plagiarism of several stories published in "The eXile" magazine, a now-defunct tabloid run by Mark Ames in Moscow). It is laziness, it is inaccurate, and it contributes to the misinformation and ignorance of Western readers about Russia, Russian people, Russian politics, and Russia's place in the world.

Don't waste your time or your money on this book.

[K.M. Knowles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across I, Putin because its author is an editor who had been recommended to me for the non-fiction book I was writing. Not being particularly interested in either politics or contemporary Russia, Ciotta’s novel had not crossed my reading radar. But, wow, am I glad it did.

The character-driven story line is riveting from the first chapter. Ciotta effortlessly weaves historical events and facts into a fascinating study of one man. Putin is a contradiction in today’s world, being simultaneously a well-recognized public figure and an enigma to most Westerners. The novel shows us both the singular drive and the complexity that are embodied in Putin, and I was fascinated. I read the book in one hit, which is a rare luxury. When the news broke of Russia's anti-gay legislation (summer 2013), I was dismayed but not surprised. Putin's hand is evident.

As one would expect with her impeccable credentials, Ciotta’s writing is excellent and the editing is tight. Hallelujah, no sloppy grammatical errors or typos, which are distracting and, sadly, becoming commonplace in today’s bottom-line-focused publishing industry. (Yes, I hired Ciotta to edit my book.)

Why only four stars and not five? Because four stars is my highest rating, period. I am excited to see what’s next from this author. More please!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was chosen for my Book Club. If it was not for that way of meeting this book I don't know that I would have picked it up to read voluntarily. But it was an interesting read and I was glad to have read it. It was timely that I read this during the Olympics when Putin was in the limelight.

The book revolves around a crisis that occurs when a Russian ship sinks and Putin has to make a decision whether he should ask for help from another country. What happens when Vladimir Putin is faced with a decision so harrowing, it changes him forever? 118 sailors spiraling into the abyss, a country in chaos and a president who seems not to care. Through the eyes of a first person Putin, and his personal aide Gosha, discover what motivates the man behind Russia. Is he the cold, ruthless Putin we know, or is he...human?

This book did not make me like him anymore than I did previous to the book. The cameo appearance of a young Bill Clinton was an interesting twist.

[Toma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captivating and good read. I couldn't put the book down before I got to the end. Author has clearly evolved as a writer since the days I read some of her short stories, which contained lots of fancy words which ruined the flow of the text and made them challenging for a non-native English speaker to read. Instead this book was clear, easy and joy to read.

Most of the events happen not far from where I live and in places I've visited which made it somewhat weird, but also interesting at the same time. Some of the fiction parts made me smile though. Like fluently English speaking Finnish conductor in the 60's, Air Force One landing in Kotka (it could probably only land in Helsinki or Santa's airport...) and hostel in USSR. :)

[Damira Davletyarova · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this book at one gulp.

Readers will follow Vladimir Putin through time of turbulence, as the newly-elected president is struggling to keep his power amid Kursk nuclear-powered submarine disaster. Foreign countries as U.K. and Norway offer a rescue help for fee. Protests rage across Russia, pressing the president to accept aid.

The story is told through different characters that includes a personal assistant Genadyi (Gosha) Golubev, former U.S. President William Clinton, and Putin himself.

Jennifer Ciotta's novel "I, Putin" is a fragment of the Russian President Putin's life that attempts to encompass a bigger picture of Putin and Russia.

I think many readers will find it interesting and engaging.

[Leesteffy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't normally read thrillers, historical fiction or the like, but this book (not sure what genre it falls into) was a page turner for me. Ciotta has me wondering at every turn of the page what was fact and what was fiction. I've never been particularly interested in Russia or Russian politics, but Ciotta aroused my interest by her masterful story telling. And she put such a human face on Putin it made me wonder, who is this man, really? I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a good read and is curious about the world.

[JC · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a solid book considering that the author was writing from the point of view of a well known political figure. I felt as though she was able to capture a bunch of the Russian way of life and thought process well in this book. I found the ending kind of funny but at the same time, I don't know politics well enough to know if this relationship was such or not.

I did find the book to jump around a lot which I'm typically not a big fan of. The chapters were labeled with dates but I still found it hard to figure out the order sometimes.

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

To put it simply, I couldn't stop reading this book! The story is so rich, full of anticipation and surprise. Getting into somebody's mind, analyzing his psychology, ways of thinking and behaving is no less than masterly. The amalgamation of fact and fiction is done so well, that the story is downright marvelous. It is narrated from different perspectives - Putin himself, his aide, and many other characters who appear in the book. These diverse perspectives end up enriching the story and offering readers a panoramic view of the events.

[Kari Sinclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating novel inside the mind of Vladimir Putin. Jennifer Ciotta created a sort of faux autobiography of Putin, which tells of the Kursk tragedy, but also his former life in the KGB, his relationship with his wife and with his daughters. To get inside the mind of Putin would be an amazing feat and I think Jennifer Ciotta has achieved this with her novel, I, Putin.

An amazing book--one that should be read by everyone!

[Daniel Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennifer Ciotta has capably tackled a difficult subject - to humanize a world leader the media has demonized for more than a decade: Vladimir Putin. In 'I Putin', Ciotta succeeds in casting Putin in a light most people are unaccustomed to seeing him in. As a result, we are reminded how prevailing views in the media can be one sided and stifle honest debate. The book is worth the read for anyone yearning for an alternative view of Russia and Mr. Putin...

Daniel

[Andrea Vrtikapa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay. Still looking forward to the author chat with my book club.

I would like to update my review after having a chat with the author via Skype and my book club.

My book club really enjoyed the chat with Jennifer. She is very knowledgeable about Putin and really put a different spin on her book that had me think about it in a different way. She answered our questions and we had a great time!! Thank you, Jennifer
!!!

[Barb Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I, Putin, is a story that I would normally never consider reading. This story surprised me. The author was able to humanize all the players in this historical account. You were compelled to identify with the struggles that Putin was dealing with and came away with a new understanding of his actions.
This book gave me a new perspective on an international incident.

[Shayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book over 2 days. Unlike Man w/o a Face, I couldn't put this one down. It painted such a different picture of Putin, that it's hard to reconcile the fact that both books are about the same man. The book itself was very well written, and very engaging. The descriptions of the country were amazing.

[Tariq Mahmood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it, the whole story was put together with a lot of insight of the Russian people, their lives and the impact left on them of the Second World War. The author has managed to present a reality of the hidden world of presidents, reflecting on their human sides which is very interesting. A very good effort.