Unredacted: Russia, Trump, and the Fight for Democracy

by Christopher Steele

The intelligence officer behind the explosive “Steele Dossier” steps out of the shadows, revealing a searing new report on the threat Putin and Trump pose to democracy, based on alarming intelligence exposed in these pages for the first time

“Putin is now desperate to have Donald Trump back in the White House. If he succeeds in helping Trump get reelected, I am convinced that the global political order will be utterly changed. We shall have entered a new historical era of strategic chaos, a ‘new world disorder.’ The consequences of Trump winning the 2024 election are catastrophic.” –from Unredacted

To a unique degree, Christopher Steele has been an eyewitness observer of modern Russian history. He was a British diplomat and intelligence professional in Moscow when the Soviet Union was collapsing. Steele was there when the putsch against Mikhail Gorbachev took place and when Boris Yeltsin took over the newly independent Russia. After Vladimir Putin came to power, Steele rose to become one of British government’s leading Russia experts and played a central role in the investigation into the Kremlin-ordered murder of Alexander Litvinenko. Then, in 2016, he wrote a series of explosive reports about the then presidential candidate Donald Trump and his links to Russia. Now known to the world as the “Steele Dossier,” these intelligence documents drew the world’s attention to Russia’s relationship with Trump—and reluctantly thrust Steele into the center of a global maelstrom.

Since Trump’s election, he has quietly continued his work. Indeed, Steele has had even better access to sources of information and intelligence on Russia—ones that have given him a privileged view of what’s going on inside the Kremlin, and how much we in the West should worry about it.

 In Unredacted, Steele shares for the first time what that inside view looks like, how he came to the point of gaining such a level of insight, and what Western governments—and all of us—can and should do to counter this generational threat.  

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Politics, Russia, Audiobook

336 pages, Hardcover

Published October 8, 2024

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely relevant and important in today’s socio political landscape. Criticisms that seek to denounce the validity or credibility of the content and the author providing one dimension of their lived experience by nonchalantly reducing it to propaganda are beyond my understanding. An unbelievable magnitude of literature that not only substantiate but conceptually expands the content of this book exists in contemporary commentary, historical analysis, and autobiographical works. This is one of many that exposes the tethers between manipulative rhetoric, abuses of power, and aggressive suppression of dissent through disinformation, misinformation, and appealing to fear as a means of influence to the gradual uprising, takeover, and subsequently oppressive systemic cornerstones of autocratic and fascist regimes that are paralleled in history.

[Phil Italiano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative read. Immediately expanded on the knowledge I acquired from ‘Compromised’.

Christopher Steele is a former British UK Intelligence Officer who is known for the infamous “Steele Dossier” that was released in early 2017 that discloses details about Trump’s Russia ties. Through three sections, Steele details the Russian meddling of the US election in 2016, the dossier’s sourcing and contents, the aftermath of the dossier’s release, Russian interference in Brexit voting as well as other global democratic processes, the ever-growing threat of the West’s adversaries Russia and China, what a return of a Trump administration will mean for the globe, an exclusive analysis of what’s going inside the Kremlin today, and what democracies need to start doing in order to preserve stability. Steele supprts his claims and narrative through various intelligence reports gathered by sources contracted by his private intelligence firm Orbis.

Most compelling part was the chapter that covered China-Russia bilateral talks and what kind of things are actually being discussed by the two authoritarian states amid the Ukraine war, tense resource talks, Russia’s faltering economy and other global considerations.

4/5: Only reason I don’t give it 5 is because I found the last few chapters to lack the nice flow the rest of the book had. Recommend nonetheless.

[Rebecca Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative. Such a dangerous world.

[Juliette C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this months after the election kind of felt like reopening a wound, knowing what was going to happen to people in the US and knowing that people had the information and power to stop it. The world will get through this but I am heartbroken for the people who suffer on a major scale due to the ignorance of others. Empathy isn't dangerous, use your critical thinking skills and stand up for human rights.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mind-blowing Brit intelligence gathering and investigations over decades of service.

Best summed up as: “Choose democracy and fairness over authoritarianism and corruption.”

[Andre Bonneau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real Kompromat

Great reading. Althoug Steele may not be able to support to 100% what is written in the book, the content is highly disturbing. Anyone who reads this can’t possibly vote for Trump.

[Frank Duke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating, yet deeply troubling. book. The author describes how he became an agent of MI6, the English intelligence service, and how, after retiring, he and a colleague formed their own, private security firm. He explains how, in the course of his work for a private sector client he uncovered information about Donald Trump's ties to Russian oligarchs and, through them, to Vladimir Putin. While not providing any new details about what has come to be known as "the Steele dossier," he does describe how it was leaked to the press by an FBI agent and the FBI's subsequent refusal to pay for the work his firm had previously done for the agency. He also describes the legal cases he, his partner, and their firm faced from Trump and various Russian oligarchs seeking to discredit them as well as Trump's failure to pay the judgments awarded them by the British courts.

The final section of the book is a warning about the 2024 election. While I got the book well after the results of the election were known, it is worth reading to better understand what Putin would like to do to the United States.

[Andy Caffrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a review of the Audible version.

Only one thing new: there are more sex tapes of Trump at Miss Universe scenes worse than the golden showers tapes. Steele did not research this himself, however. The FBI informed him of another source.

The rest of the book is Cold War II propaganda of Putin is a Devil who threatens global democracy/Ukraine as domino effect bullshit.

Examples:

He says that in summer 2024 intelligence he received shows:

"We in the US and the UK have entered a pre-war phase with Vladimir Putin's Russia." (Welcome to World War III, folks!)

"...Relations with Russia and the West (have) deteriorated to the point where the Kremlin (has) ordered a new program for kinetic operations (i.e. assassinations and sabotage against the leading member NATO states). An FSB scientific research institute near Moscow (has) been revamped for training and planning purposes in this regard."

Steele reads the audiobook. His accent blurs some words at times.

[Beckym · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unredacted is an interesting, albeit disturbing, read which discusses how the outcome of the 2016, 2020, and 2024 United States Presidential elections could threaten the future of western democracy and could even potentially weaken NATO.

What is especially unsettling is that this book, copywritten in 2024 prior to Trump's eventual re-election, explores possible consequences of a Trump second term. Christopher Steele gives what I considered convincing insight regarding Russian involvement in US elections and how US and UK agencies were pre-warned, but the warnings went unheeded. Steele discusses how Brexit came to be and the war against Ukraine, among many other topics. Further, Steele sheds light on how electing Trump could be advantageous to oligarch leaders of countries such as Russia, China, and Iran.

Reading this book was what I considered to be time well spent. I wish people had listened to the warning bells. I will be looking for other writings by Christopher Steele in the future.

[Roger · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing.

The title suggests additional revelations from Steele's work delving into Trump's mysterious affinity for Russia and Putin but provides little new of substance on that front. Instead, Steele focusses on his personal travails which, while not trivial, are presented in a sadly self-righteous and often whiny narrative. There is also a complete lack of attention to the seamier side of the intelligence services for which he worked.

Then there is Steele's fixation on the "fact" that Putin simply MUST have kompromat on Trump (which Steele never actually produces, relying on innuendo and inference). The alternative explanation for Trump's Putin fixation, which strikes me as far more likely, is that Trump, like many insecure bullies, simply loves "tough guys" and wants to be just like them.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steele's insight and bravery made this a very worthwhile read. It can be hard for us laypeople to interpret intelligence reports, but his explanation and warnings about Russia's undermining of our (and the EU's!) solidarity are timely and important. He also does well to examine Russia's similar manipulation of the 2018 World Cup venue selection process, which should be far enough removed from the current political biases to help most of us understand Russia's methods.

[Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an important book. It is very well written and engaging. There are a ton of books available on this subject, but few of them are written by professionals. This one is. Christopher's story and opinion matters and will be judged by history as eminently correct and full of integrity. In these times, the credentials of an author are important. Journalist's books are good up to a point, but the writings of an expert in the field trump them every time (pun intended).

[Jason Smythe · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly, just awful. Far from an objective narrator, the author spends the first seven chapters just droning on about how smart and impressive he is. The "new" information that the book is marketed on doesn't come up until the last four chapters, and even then, it isn't very impressive at this point. Very disappointing offering from an author who has a fascinating story to tell.

[Matthew Pezzone · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's that Mr. Steele has an axe to grind when it comes to Trump, I do find his job and his early story fascinating. His future predictions are way off with Trump being exornorated in regards to Russia and it's even the EU that's going behind the United States back in negotiations with Zelensky. He's spot on about China as being the above all threat. All in all a very enjoyable read.

[katelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 it was cool to see the perspective of someone who 1: has so much experience and knowledge with Russia and governments 2: has actively lived in Russia 3: and has come face to face with how sketchy the US government can be and the influence of the Trump-Putin relationship. I think I learned a lot about politics of today and the background that lead up to now.

[George Kanakaris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great great book .Written just before the 2024 elections in the USA. The author has predicted the catastrophic consequences of the election of the orange idiot well. His insight into the (mainly) Russian machinations is very illuminating and a warning for the liberal democracies.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish everyone would read this book. Some might not ever give him the chance due to the controversy around "the Steele Report", but I found him credible and I wish others would give him the chance. Much of what he has been concerned about has already come to pass.

[Elizabeth Mair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good read

This is a pretty good read, less for the stuff about the 2016 dossier, and more for the observations about Russian history, economics, business and law, and perhaps even moreso the discussion of the current Russia-China relationship and dynamic.

[Liquidlasagna · Rating 1 out of 5]

The sex with the giraffe in the hotel room was the most credible part of the book.
Steele really stuck his neck out on this book!
Gene Shalit

[Charlie Nagelschmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A more important book than it will get credit for being. Plausible, an insightful scenario on recent political history and the near future.

[Tamikka · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first "political" book I read and it did not disappoint.

[Marilyn J. Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In part I, you get to know him. In part II, you get to know what he thinks. Any more info would be spoilers.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

We are screwed.

[Pascale · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up. I’m really not sure what to make of it.

[Sandi Nichol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. Informative, fascinating. Definitely a greater understanding of Trump and Putin.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminds me of Red Roulette. Inside view from an interesting observer. Liked the autobiographical details of Steele's college life. very easy read.

[Clare Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative and well written. Please write more.

[Dan Slaughter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not worth it. long-winded and boring.

[Renny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Important and interesting book.

I skimmed over the last two chapters, but that didn’t take away from my admiration of the author and others working in the world of intelligence with integrity.

[Kim Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

The scariest book I’ve ever read.