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My Russia: What I Saw Inside the Kremlin
My Russia
reveals CNN’s Jill Dougherty’s transformative journey from a Cold War-era obsession with Russia to witnessing firsthand the rise of Vladimir Putin and the unraveling of a nation she grew to love
At the height of the Cold War, as a high school freshman, CNN’s Jill Dougherty developed an obsession with Russia. Over the next half-century, she studied in Leningrad, traveled across the Soviet Union, lived in Moscow, and reported on the presidencies of Mikhail Gorbachev, Boris Yeltsin, and Vladimir Putin. Jill’s life, and Putin’s, intersected. They studied at the same Russian university; Jill was named CNN Moscow Bureau Chief just as Putin began his rise to power. She knew he was a former KGB officer, but she also believed he was an economic reformer. As Putin tightened his grip on the media, she changed her mind. In 2022, reporting from Moscow as Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine, she was convinced the leader with whom she once had sympathized was a tyrant threatening to destroy a country she had come to love.
My Russia charts Russia’s evolution through the eyes of an American with rare insight into Russia, its people, and its leaders.
At the height of the Cold War, as a high school freshman, CNN’s Jill Dougherty developed an obsession with Russia. Over the next half-century, she studied in Leningrad, traveled across the Soviet Union, lived in Moscow, and reported on the presidencies of Mikhail Gorbachev, Boris Yeltsin, and Vladimir Putin. Jill’s life, and Putin’s, intersected. They studied at the same Russian university; Jill was named CNN Moscow Bureau Chief just as Putin began his rise to power. She knew he was a former KGB officer, but she also believed he was an economic reformer. As Putin tightened his grip on the media, she changed her mind. In 2022, reporting from Moscow as Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine, she was convinced the leader with whom she once had sympathized was a tyrant threatening to destroy a country she had come to love.
My Russia charts Russia’s evolution through the eyes of an American with rare insight into Russia, its people, and its leaders.
368 pages, Hardcover
Published April 15, 2025
26 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 13, 2025
Insightful memoir by Jill Dougherty who was the CNN Moscow Bureau Chief and covered Russia for over 20 years. Growing up in Scranton, PA, Jill took Russian language classes in High School, and became fluent in the language and loved their arts and literature. She went on summer study programs in Russia and even worked for US Trade Delegations. Eventually she moved into Journalism and was on TV in Chicago when she got the chance to work for CNN and eventually travel to Russia. She was there for the Gorbachov and Yeltsin years, and even knew the young Vladimir Putin. She covered his transformation from a new leader who seemingly wanted to be an ally of the West to the current dictator styled ruler. The stories are amazing and she covered some of the worst terror attacks in Russia and the wars in Chechnya. She lived a remarkable life and this book gives an intimate look to Russia and helps is try to understand what happened with Crimea and the Ukraine.
August 12, 2025
(The English review is placed beneath the Russian one)
Как можно понять из названия книги, это частично автобиографическая книга, но только там, где жизнь автора пересекается с Россией или Советским Союзом. В этом смысле автор не донимает читателя подробным рассказом своей личной жизни. И частично эта книга является коротким пересказом современной, по большей части путинской, истории РФ. И вот тут возникает вопрос: что в книге более ценно - автобиография автора и её персональный взгляд сначала на поздний Советский Союз, описанию которому отводится первая четверть книги, либо краткому описанию истории правления Путина? С моей точки зрения единственное ради чего стоит читать эту книгу, это для того что бы познакомиться с точкой зрения этой американки на то, как она увидела жизнь и быт, сначала в позднем СССР, а потом и в новой России.
Сегодня это уже редкость увидеть книгу, в которой столько восторженных отзывов по отношению к России, её культуре и его народу. Тот редкий случай, когда автор либо не боится искренне выражать свою любовь к России либо рассматривает это как норму по отношению к стране, в которой она провела много лет. Я это потому пишу, что в большинстве автобиографических книг, в которых авторы, жившие и работавшие в России, описывают свой опыт, я таких восхвалений не встречал. Даже такой человек как Майкл Макфол, которого представляют, как самого главного эксперта по России даже до февраля 2022 года не высказывал столько добрых слов, а уж после 2022 года, Майкл Макфол вообще начал негативно относиться даже не к правительству России с Путиным во главе, а к простому русскому народу. Именно поэтому я и пишу, что это удивительно видеть такую книгу о России после февраля 2022 года.
Однако в этой любви к России и её культуре есть что-то странное как, например поддержание мифа о том, что русские любят пить водку. Я уже не первый раз встречаю этот культурное клише и мне казалось, что сегодня он уже не актуален, но как показывает книга, многие граждане западного мира продолжают принимать этот миф, принимая его за истину. Всё-таки хотелось бы, чтобы люди более объективно оценивали россиян, а не перенимали идею о якобы культурной традиции в России, условно говоря, пить водку по утрам. Но не это главное, а главным являлось то, что в книге нет глубокий инсайдов того как жила и живёт Россия, когда не попадает в кадр телевизионной камеры. Тут я прямо сравниваю эту книгу с одной из лучших книг по СССР и России, книгой The Russians by Hedrick Smith. Той глубины, что была в книге The Russians, тут нет. Эта книга более поверхностна и даже чем-то напоминает типичные заметки путешественника.
Но и это не стало для меня главным и определяющим в отношении этой книги. Главным стало то, что автор этой книги так и не поняла, что Путин, которого она отождествляет с подъёмом авторитаризма в России, вовсе не был тем архитектором, который заложил фундамент авторитарного правления. Путин был лишь продолжателем того, что оставил ему Ельцин, истинный автор зарождения авторитаризма в России. Именно тут книга меня разочаровала, т.е. автор на этот счёт ничего или почти ничего не пишет. Все претензии у неё исключительно к Путину, который действительно вывел авторитаризм в России на новый, более высокий уровень, однако Путину не удалось бы это, если бы Ельцин вместо построения авторитаризма, пусть и мягкого, строил бы то, что он обещал гражданам России в начале 90-ых годов, а именно современное демократическое общество по западному образцу.
Что касается короткого её обзора путинского правления, то тут я не прочёл ничего нового, чего бы ни было бы сказано в десятках книгах посвящённых путинской России. В итоге получилась довольно обычная, средняя книга иностранца, о том, как она влюбилась в Россию, как жила в этой стране и как работала в ней, будучи сотрудником российского отделения CNN. Однако глубокого исследования или даже анализа России, её внутренней или внешней политики в этой книге нет.
As the title suggests, this is a partially autobiographical book, but only insofar as the author's life intersects with Russia or the Soviet Union. In this sense, the author does not overwhelm the reader with detailed accounts of her personal life. In part, this book is a brief retelling of the modern history of the Russian Federation, mostly under Putin. And here the question arises: what is more valuable in the book—the author's autobiography and her personal view of the late Soviet Union, which is described in the first quarter of the book, or the brief description of Putin's reign? From my point of view, the only reason to read this book is to learn about this American woman's perspective on how she saw life and everyday existence, first in the late Soviet Union and then in the new Russia.
Today, it is rare to see a book that contains so many enthusiastic thoughts about Russia, its culture, and its people. It is a rare case when the author is either not afraid to sincerely express her love for Russia or considers it normal for a country where she has spent many years. I am writing this because in most autobiographical books in which authors who have lived and worked in Russia describe their experiences, I have not encountered such praise. Even someone like Michael McFaul, who is presented as the foremost expert on Russia, did not say so many kind words even before February 2022, and after 2022, Michael McFaul began to take a negative view not only of the Russian government headed by Putin, but also of the ordinary Russian people. That is why I am writing that it is surprising to see such a book about Russia after February 2022.
However, there is something strange about this love for Russia and its culture, such as perpetuating the myth that Russians love to drink vodka. This is not the first time I have encountered this cultural cliché, and I thought it was no longer relevant today, but as the book shows, many citizens of the Western world continue to accept this myth as truth. Still, I would like people to evaluate Russians more objectively, rather than adopting the idea of a supposed cultural tradition in Russia, so to speak, of drinking vodka in the morning. But that's not the main point. The main point is that the book lacks deep insights into how Russia lived and lives when it is not in front of the television camera. Here, I am directly comparing this book with one of the best books on the USSR and Russia, The Russians by Hedrick Smith. The depth that was in The Russians is missing here. This book is more superficial and even somewhat reminiscent of typical travel notes.
But even that was not the main and decisive factor for me about this book. The main thing was that the author of this book failed to understand that Putin, whom she identifies with the rise of authoritarianism in Russia, was not at all the architect who laid the foundations for authoritarian rule. Putin was merely the successor to Yeltsin, the true architect of the emergence of authoritarianism in Russia. This is where the book disappointed me, as the author writes nothing or almost nothing on this subject. All her complaints are directed exclusively at Putin, who has indeed taken authoritarianism in Russia to a new, higher level. However, Putin would not have succeeded in doing so if Yeltsin, instead of building authoritarianism, albeit a mild form of it, had built what he promised the citizens of Russia in the early 1990s, namely a modern democratic society based on the Western model.
As for her brief overview of Putin's rule, I didn't read anything new here that hasn't already been said in dozens of books devoted to Putin's Russia. The result is a fairly ordinary, average book by a foreigner about how she fell in love with Russia, how she lived in this country, and how she worked there as an employee of CNN's Russian bureau. However, there is no in-depth research or even analysis of Russia, its domestic or foreign policy, in this book.
Как можно понять из названия книги, это частично автобиографическая книга, но только там, где жизнь автора пересекается с Россией или Советским Союзом. В этом смысле автор не донимает читателя подробным рассказом своей личной жизни. И частично эта книга является коротким пересказом современной, по большей части путинской, истории РФ. И вот тут возникает вопрос: что в книге более ценно - автобиография автора и её персональный взгляд сначала на поздний Советский Союз, описанию которому отводится первая четверть книги, либо краткому описанию истории правления Путина? С моей точки зрения единственное ради чего стоит читать эту книгу, это для того что бы познакомиться с точкой зрения этой американки на то, как она увидела жизнь и быт, сначала в позднем СССР, а потом и в новой России.
Сегодня это уже редкость увидеть книгу, в которой столько восторженных отзывов по отношению к России, её культуре и его народу. Тот редкий случай, когда автор либо не боится искренне выражать свою любовь к России либо рассматривает это как норму по отношению к стране, в которой она провела много лет. Я это потому пишу, что в большинстве автобиографических книг, в которых авторы, жившие и работавшие в России, описывают свой опыт, я таких восхвалений не встречал. Даже такой человек как Майкл Макфол, которого представляют, как самого главного эксперта по России даже до февраля 2022 года не высказывал столько добрых слов, а уж после 2022 года, Майкл Макфол вообще начал негативно относиться даже не к правительству России с Путиным во главе, а к простому русскому народу. Именно поэтому я и пишу, что это удивительно видеть такую книгу о России после февраля 2022 года.
Однако в этой любви к России и её культуре есть что-то странное как, например поддержание мифа о том, что русские любят пить водку. Я уже не первый раз встречаю этот культурное клише и мне казалось, что сегодня он уже не актуален, но как показывает книга, многие граждане западного мира продолжают принимать этот миф, принимая его за истину. Всё-таки хотелось бы, чтобы люди более объективно оценивали россиян, а не перенимали идею о якобы культурной традиции в России, условно говоря, пить водку по утрам. Но не это главное, а главным являлось то, что в книге нет глубокий инсайдов того как жила и живёт Россия, когда не попадает в кадр телевизионной камеры. Тут я прямо сравниваю эту книгу с одной из лучших книг по СССР и России, книгой The Russians by Hedrick Smith. Той глубины, что была в книге The Russians, тут нет. Эта книга более поверхностна и даже чем-то напоминает типичные заметки путешественника.
Но и это не стало для меня главным и определяющим в отношении этой книги. Главным стало то, что автор этой книги так и не поняла, что Путин, которого она отождествляет с подъёмом авторитаризма в России, вовсе не был тем архитектором, который заложил фундамент авторитарного правления. Путин был лишь продолжателем того, что оставил ему Ельцин, истинный автор зарождения авторитаризма в России. Именно тут книга меня разочаровала, т.е. автор на этот счёт ничего или почти ничего не пишет. Все претензии у неё исключительно к Путину, который действительно вывел авторитаризм в России на новый, более высокий уровень, однако Путину не удалось бы это, если бы Ельцин вместо построения авторитаризма, пусть и мягкого, строил бы то, что он обещал гражданам России в начале 90-ых годов, а именно современное демократическое общество по западному образцу.
Что касается короткого её обзора путинского правления, то тут я не прочёл ничего нового, чего бы ни было бы сказано в десятках книгах посвящённых путинской России. В итоге получилась довольно обычная, средняя книга иностранца, о том, как она влюбилась в Россию, как жила в этой стране и как работала в ней, будучи сотрудником российского отделения CNN. Однако глубокого исследования или даже анализа России, её внутренней или внешней политики в этой книге нет.
As the title suggests, this is a partially autobiographical book, but only insofar as the author's life intersects with Russia or the Soviet Union. In this sense, the author does not overwhelm the reader with detailed accounts of her personal life. In part, this book is a brief retelling of the modern history of the Russian Federation, mostly under Putin. And here the question arises: what is more valuable in the book—the author's autobiography and her personal view of the late Soviet Union, which is described in the first quarter of the book, or the brief description of Putin's reign? From my point of view, the only reason to read this book is to learn about this American woman's perspective on how she saw life and everyday existence, first in the late Soviet Union and then in the new Russia.
Today, it is rare to see a book that contains so many enthusiastic thoughts about Russia, its culture, and its people. It is a rare case when the author is either not afraid to sincerely express her love for Russia or considers it normal for a country where she has spent many years. I am writing this because in most autobiographical books in which authors who have lived and worked in Russia describe their experiences, I have not encountered such praise. Even someone like Michael McFaul, who is presented as the foremost expert on Russia, did not say so many kind words even before February 2022, and after 2022, Michael McFaul began to take a negative view not only of the Russian government headed by Putin, but also of the ordinary Russian people. That is why I am writing that it is surprising to see such a book about Russia after February 2022.
However, there is something strange about this love for Russia and its culture, such as perpetuating the myth that Russians love to drink vodka. This is not the first time I have encountered this cultural cliché, and I thought it was no longer relevant today, but as the book shows, many citizens of the Western world continue to accept this myth as truth. Still, I would like people to evaluate Russians more objectively, rather than adopting the idea of a supposed cultural tradition in Russia, so to speak, of drinking vodka in the morning. But that's not the main point. The main point is that the book lacks deep insights into how Russia lived and lives when it is not in front of the television camera. Here, I am directly comparing this book with one of the best books on the USSR and Russia, The Russians by Hedrick Smith. The depth that was in The Russians is missing here. This book is more superficial and even somewhat reminiscent of typical travel notes.
But even that was not the main and decisive factor for me about this book. The main thing was that the author of this book failed to understand that Putin, whom she identifies with the rise of authoritarianism in Russia, was not at all the architect who laid the foundations for authoritarian rule. Putin was merely the successor to Yeltsin, the true architect of the emergence of authoritarianism in Russia. This is where the book disappointed me, as the author writes nothing or almost nothing on this subject. All her complaints are directed exclusively at Putin, who has indeed taken authoritarianism in Russia to a new, higher level. However, Putin would not have succeeded in doing so if Yeltsin, instead of building authoritarianism, albeit a mild form of it, had built what he promised the citizens of Russia in the early 1990s, namely a modern democratic society based on the Western model.
As for her brief overview of Putin's rule, I didn't read anything new here that hasn't already been said in dozens of books devoted to Putin's Russia. The result is a fairly ordinary, average book by a foreigner about how she fell in love with Russia, how she lived in this country, and how she worked there as an employee of CNN's Russian bureau. However, there is no in-depth research or even analysis of Russia, its domestic or foreign policy, in this book.
May 10, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the advanced copy of the audiobook. All opinions are my own.
This book is well written, very organized and expertly narrated by the author, Jill Dougherty. It was a fascinating merging of memoir, history, and political science. I hope this book will get some buzz, because the information that Dougherty presents is important to current affairs and world history.
Dougherty is very even toned and fair in her recounting of her time in Russia. She is a seasoned journalist who has lived in and studied Russia extensively. Her love of the country, their culture, and language began when she was a teen and her fluency in Russian brought her many opportunities to interview high ranking Russian politicians, including Vladimir Putin.
This book offers insight into parts of Russian culture that Doughtery and her partner grew to love. It also gives background into regional politics, the war in Ukraine, problems Russia has amongst its diverse population, and the ever cold relations with the United States.
I recommend this book to anyone, as I think there is something for everyone to learn or be reminded of within its pages.
This book is well written, very organized and expertly narrated by the author, Jill Dougherty. It was a fascinating merging of memoir, history, and political science. I hope this book will get some buzz, because the information that Dougherty presents is important to current affairs and world history.
Dougherty is very even toned and fair in her recounting of her time in Russia. She is a seasoned journalist who has lived in and studied Russia extensively. Her love of the country, their culture, and language began when she was a teen and her fluency in Russian brought her many opportunities to interview high ranking Russian politicians, including Vladimir Putin.
This book offers insight into parts of Russian culture that Doughtery and her partner grew to love. It also gives background into regional politics, the war in Ukraine, problems Russia has amongst its diverse population, and the ever cold relations with the United States.
I recommend this book to anyone, as I think there is something for everyone to learn or be reminded of within its pages.
August 27, 2025
Why does it have so few votes online? This is a book that's a blast to read/listen to for the first half. Fun anecdotes, personal stories, emotional and clever narration. Even if you absolutely hate the topic you'll enjoy the book as it's a fun read. Like sitting with a top storyteller telling stories about her life.
We also learn about the history of mainly Russia then a bit USA. We start with her explaining her experience in USSR in the 1970's and then move forward in time to Gorbachev, Yeltsin, Putin as she now works for CNN in Moscow.
Every single page and story is engaging and well-written. I did zone out a few times where she went over the basic history of Yeltsin and Putin. It's stuff most know already so a refresher is not always needed. And when it's just general history it's not as engaging.
Her analysis is shallow as you can predict. She reads it herself and her voice is fun and light exactly as the book. There will be no deep geopolitical or philosophical debates. People are presented as silly and fun characters even dictators. It's just how she sees the world and it surely makes her a top tier journalist as she can talk to anyone. But people who know a lot about this topic would have appreciated a few more debates about war, politics, culture, media. We get the facts and a proper overview yet the motivation is at times lacking. Why are people doing what they are doing? I guess she doesn't know for sure and so doesn't give us more details than what all can see anyhow. Which is typical for journalists. Historians are a bit more eager to always guess intentions. And who knows which party is correct here?
After 10 hours it does get a tad too long. She overall structured the first half well with her visiting Moscow then moving there to work for CNN. It follows her life. Yet later when we get to Putin and Ukraine she starts jumping all over the place. We get intros to events that happen a decade in the future. We jump back in time when she has a story about a personal visit. We also get an overview of Putin's past to a small degree and explanations of how stuff came about. And she just loses the thread. All stories are great yet we clearly feel they are plastered in later on to fill out the runtime. Which is not needed here. I wanted more 1970's Soviet stories.
This is a great basic intro to Russia written from an upbeat point of view. Many of these Americans who love the culture and move there are never negative about Russia which is always creepy. Yet she fully admits to it so it's not a huge issue here. If she was too negative she would not have been allowed to stay in Russia.
We also learn about the history of mainly Russia then a bit USA. We start with her explaining her experience in USSR in the 1970's and then move forward in time to Gorbachev, Yeltsin, Putin as she now works for CNN in Moscow.
Every single page and story is engaging and well-written. I did zone out a few times where she went over the basic history of Yeltsin and Putin. It's stuff most know already so a refresher is not always needed. And when it's just general history it's not as engaging.
Her analysis is shallow as you can predict. She reads it herself and her voice is fun and light exactly as the book. There will be no deep geopolitical or philosophical debates. People are presented as silly and fun characters even dictators. It's just how she sees the world and it surely makes her a top tier journalist as she can talk to anyone. But people who know a lot about this topic would have appreciated a few more debates about war, politics, culture, media. We get the facts and a proper overview yet the motivation is at times lacking. Why are people doing what they are doing? I guess she doesn't know for sure and so doesn't give us more details than what all can see anyhow. Which is typical for journalists. Historians are a bit more eager to always guess intentions. And who knows which party is correct here?
After 10 hours it does get a tad too long. She overall structured the first half well with her visiting Moscow then moving there to work for CNN. It follows her life. Yet later when we get to Putin and Ukraine she starts jumping all over the place. We get intros to events that happen a decade in the future. We jump back in time when she has a story about a personal visit. We also get an overview of Putin's past to a small degree and explanations of how stuff came about. And she just loses the thread. All stories are great yet we clearly feel they are plastered in later on to fill out the runtime. Which is not needed here. I wanted more 1970's Soviet stories.
This is a great basic intro to Russia written from an upbeat point of view. Many of these Americans who love the culture and move there are never negative about Russia which is always creepy. Yet she fully admits to it so it's not a huge issue here. If she was too negative she would not have been allowed to stay in Russia.
May 19, 2025
“My whole life was Russia”
I’ve listened to the audiobook version of this title (the usual way I take in literature) read by the author and enjoyed it enormously. This is probably because I’m Russian and lived in Leningrad and Moscow more or less in the periods the book describes, so it was a bit of a trip down memory lane for me. I also very much appreciated the author’s nearly perfect Russian because most readers garble Russian words, pronouncing, e.g., the sound “ch“ in “dacha” as in the German word “doch” or Scottish “loch” (though the Germans get it right—at least as heard in the TV show “Counterpart,” set in Berlin). This is why I would vote it the audiobook of the year. Also of great value is the author’s eyewitness account of events in Russia. Where she talks of what she didn’t witness personally, however, she sometimes descends into wild allegations, e.g., that the 2014 referendum in Crimea was held “at the barrel of a gun”. There are no eyewitness reports of anything like that actually taking place. Anyway, I vacationed in Crimea with my wife and kids in 2016, and everyone I talked to was happy to be back in the fold. The author professes to love all things Russian but hate Putin and Putinism, and consistently uses the term “Putin’s Russia”, but here’s the thing: it’s not Putin’s Russia; it’s Russia’s Putin, as evidenced by 700k volunteer servicemen fighting for Russia and Putin in Ukraine. My wife is half-Ukrainian and I've got 3 generations of in-laws, all Russian speakers, living outside of Lugansk, who were liberated early in 2022 and are a bunch of happy campers now, with much higher pensions and good jobs, but they have indeed lost their freedom of gender. They do have friends, though, in Odessa who envy them and can't wait to be liberated. They all hate the Kiev regime and will welcome Putin as their savior. The Russians Ms Dougherty spoke to and uses as her sources are people who sought her out and represent a tiny minority in Russia, now that most dissenters have emigrated in the wake of Russia’s open intervention in the civil war in Ukraine. Still, Ms Dougherty has every right to make her views and feelings about the current situation in Russia known, and her book is a valuable contribution to the discussion of the topics involved.
I’ve listened to the audiobook version of this title (the usual way I take in literature) read by the author and enjoyed it enormously. This is probably because I’m Russian and lived in Leningrad and Moscow more or less in the periods the book describes, so it was a bit of a trip down memory lane for me. I also very much appreciated the author’s nearly perfect Russian because most readers garble Russian words, pronouncing, e.g., the sound “ch“ in “dacha” as in the German word “doch” or Scottish “loch” (though the Germans get it right—at least as heard in the TV show “Counterpart,” set in Berlin). This is why I would vote it the audiobook of the year. Also of great value is the author’s eyewitness account of events in Russia. Where she talks of what she didn’t witness personally, however, she sometimes descends into wild allegations, e.g., that the 2014 referendum in Crimea was held “at the barrel of a gun”. There are no eyewitness reports of anything like that actually taking place. Anyway, I vacationed in Crimea with my wife and kids in 2016, and everyone I talked to was happy to be back in the fold. The author professes to love all things Russian but hate Putin and Putinism, and consistently uses the term “Putin’s Russia”, but here’s the thing: it’s not Putin’s Russia; it’s Russia’s Putin, as evidenced by 700k volunteer servicemen fighting for Russia and Putin in Ukraine. My wife is half-Ukrainian and I've got 3 generations of in-laws, all Russian speakers, living outside of Lugansk, who were liberated early in 2022 and are a bunch of happy campers now, with much higher pensions and good jobs, but they have indeed lost their freedom of gender. They do have friends, though, in Odessa who envy them and can't wait to be liberated. They all hate the Kiev regime and will welcome Putin as their savior. The Russians Ms Dougherty spoke to and uses as her sources are people who sought her out and represent a tiny minority in Russia, now that most dissenters have emigrated in the wake of Russia’s open intervention in the civil war in Ukraine. Still, Ms Dougherty has every right to make her views and feelings about the current situation in Russia known, and her book is a valuable contribution to the discussion of the topics involved.
April 30, 2025
My Russia is a beautifully written opportunity to experience the allure, the harshness, the beauty, and the barbarity of what was the Soviet Union, what became briefly an open and forward-thinking attempt at democracy, and what has devolved into the cruel autocracy of Putin's Russia. Jill Dougherty first visited the Soviet Union in the 1960s, studied in the city then known as Leningrad, and later worked for decades for CNN in Russia. Her studies and work took her to all corners of the former communist country, and she spent time with and understood the movers and the shakers that gradually pushed Russia into the dark chasm that constitutes today's reality. Her story chronicles her initial and abiding love for the Russian language, her deep friendship with many of the country's citizens--many of whom have fled the country that they, too, love--and her honest and searing appraisal of the current regime. I learned many "facts," while reading, but I also came to understand Ms. Dougherty's continued fascination with what Churchill wisely described as a "a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma." I am grateful to NetGalley for a review copy of the audio version of this book, narrated by the author.
August 2, 2025
Fascinating book written from an insiders perspective of Russia pre-and post-Soviet era. First and foremost, the author developed a sincere love and appreciation for the Russian language and a deep interest in its culture. She spent her college years in the early 70s on exchange programs with Leningrad University. Then, she almost falls into journalism through her deep love of the language of the Russian people their culture, language, and her thirst for knowledge.
However, she finds herself having to grapple between her love for the country and its people and the political/geopolitical issues that arise through the decades. Moreover, it’s interesting to get her insights and interpretations of the United States leadership and its relationship with Russian leaders. As a journalist for CNN in both the early years of the network and present, she works to keep her personal emotions out of the factual narrative.
I highly recommend this very personal and prolific account of the USSR and devolution to Russia, and to the past and present situation in Ukraine.
However, she finds herself having to grapple between her love for the country and its people and the political/geopolitical issues that arise through the decades. Moreover, it’s interesting to get her insights and interpretations of the United States leadership and its relationship with Russian leaders. As a journalist for CNN in both the early years of the network and present, she works to keep her personal emotions out of the factual narrative.
I highly recommend this very personal and prolific account of the USSR and devolution to Russia, and to the past and present situation in Ukraine.
June 28, 2025
Ms. Dougherty, at a young age, was interested in the Russian language and culture. So much so, she majored in Slavic languages in college. She went on to be a news correspondent focusing on Russia. This book examines Russian life through her experiences inside Soviet Russia and during the time of Vladimir Putin. Through personal stories, investigative reporting, and research, she illustrates the changing governmental norms throughout the decades. Never dry, My Russia introduces you to all the major players in Russia and the author's interaction with them. I recommend this book to people interested in how Russia changed from the USSR to the present and what life was like for everyday people. This book was very satisfying to my continuing interest in Russian history and current events.
Thank you, Netgalley and Global Pequot Publishing Group, for the opportunity to review this book.
Thank you, Netgalley and Global Pequot Publishing Group, for the opportunity to review this book.
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September 7, 2025(I do not rate memoirs.)
This book presents as a memoir of the author's time in and experience with Russia through her time as as first an exchange student and then a significant amount of time as a journalist through significant historical changes in Russia. The portions of the book where Dougherty wove the events of her life together with Russian history read smoothly and kept me engaged. However, when Putin enters the scene, he takes over the narrative, hijacking Dougherty's narrative and making it a quasi-biography with plenty of details without any emotional weight ot bring the dry facts together. It took me far too long to read the last forty percent, partly because I had work obligations that took up more of my time and partly because I lacked motivation to pick the book back up. Ultimately, I found the premise intriguing but ended up let down because of the lack of followthrough.
This book presents as a memoir of the author's time in and experience with Russia through her time as as first an exchange student and then a significant amount of time as a journalist through significant historical changes in Russia. The portions of the book where Dougherty wove the events of her life together with Russian history read smoothly and kept me engaged. However, when Putin enters the scene, he takes over the narrative, hijacking Dougherty's narrative and making it a quasi-biography with plenty of details without any emotional weight ot bring the dry facts together. It took me far too long to read the last forty percent, partly because I had work obligations that took up more of my time and partly because I lacked motivation to pick the book back up. Ultimately, I found the premise intriguing but ended up let down because of the lack of followthrough.
December 31, 2025
Jill Dougherty brings a new aspect to Russia, its culture and its political leadership. Not too detailed, just a great overview from her time in Leningrad as a foreign exchange student to her time as the CNN Bureau Chief. She spent many years filing reports on many of the major news events in Russia, and offers poignant retelling of many of these situations. Overall, a good book that should be used as a good reference point for those interested in Russia's recent history.
April 24, 2025
I found this so interesting and I learnt a lot from listening to it. I am always worried about a writer narrating their own book but after a bit I got fully used to her narration style and it worked well. I just found her insights especially into Putin very interesting.
August 18, 2025
Jill Dougherty's fine reporting benefits from her thorough and scholarly approach to whatever news she is covering. Her account of her lengthy time in Russia features a valuable "I was there" perspective. U.S. policymakers should read My Russia...but they probably won't.
July 30, 2025
Very good political and cultural perspective from someone who lived and worked in Russia and loves the Russian people, but not the politics.
September 9, 2025
Amazing Book
I like this Book soo much I learnd a lot about Russia and abouth following your dream. I recommend every one read it
I like this Book soo much I learnd a lot about Russia and abouth following your dream. I recommend every one read it
August 23, 2025
It was pretty uplifting to hear that the author knows the Russian language so well and has a lot of admiration for the culture. Linguistics shine in this book, but everything else falls a bit flat. Most memories of the country seem like tourist observations, and I ended up thinking Florida holds a much bigger place in the author's heart than the other country they are claiming to be obsessed with. (I'm sure this is not true, but that's how it reads between the lines)
November 20, 2025
This is not your typical memoir. The author, since she was in high school, has had a fascination with Russian culture, politics, and the lives of everyday Russians. She was working in Russia during the periods of Gorbachev, Yeltsin, and Putin. Her take on each of these men, and their administrations, and how they affected Russian life is unique and very thoughtful. If only we could put her into the present U.S. administration, she could do wonders helping them to understand how Russia works.
Dougherty writes very well, explaining issues in a clear and understandable manner. The book flows along nicely, with no quirks or confusing areas in it.
I found the book to be fascinating. I would recommend it to anyone interested in Russia, or in our ability to deal with the Russians.
Dougherty writes very well, explaining issues in a clear and understandable manner. The book flows along nicely, with no quirks or confusing areas in it.
I found the book to be fascinating. I would recommend it to anyone interested in Russia, or in our ability to deal with the Russians.
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