Murder in the Gulag: The explosive account of how Putin poisoned Alexei Navalny

by John Sweeney

'Murder in the Gulag is brilliant journalistic punchy, eloquent, page-turning and factual. It's a powerful reminder of what an extraordinary man Navalny was' - Roland Oliphant, Telegraph

In this revised and updated paperback edition, award-winning journalist John Sweeney goes behind the headlines to investigate what really happened to Alexei Navalny in the freezing Polar Wolf penal colony in a remote part of Siberia in February 2024. This is a warts-and-all portrayal of the highly charismatic but controversial Russian opposition leader who at one time flirted with the far right. Murder in the Gulag lifts the lid on the reality of life in Russia today and asks what Navalny's death means for the future of Putin, Russia and the West.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, Russia, Biography, History, Audiobook

311 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 25, 2024

About the author

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Reviews

[Julie Chamaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweeney’s book is interesting on many levels. It’s a rather personal view and magnification of Alexi Navalny’s life and death and a glimpse of Russian politics, in particular Putin’s brutal tactics dealing with opponents perceived as enemies or threats. It details the astonishing wealth and absolute power of the oligarchs in Putin’s inner circle - which make capitalism look like a game show and an easy preference, in comparison.

Murder in the Gulag certainly makes for disturbing reading but it reads almost like a fiction. If only it was fiction. However, Sweeney’s style is reminiscent of Michael Moore. The epithets - Putin is the lizard tsar - as well as his obsession with Putin’s short stature, deflects from the brutality of the events being described and also makes the narrative personal, rather than an unbiased journalistic offering.

Still, it does not claim to be such and it is definitely worth a read. Siberia being taken by China if Russia falls? What a concept!

[Alex HD · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fan of Navalny. Not a fan of the author who clearly relishes in delivering what transpires to be a potted history of events that’s he’s so clearly desperate to have been involved in.

[Leslie McIntosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearly a very personal account of Alexei Navalny by journalist John Sweeney who knew the man and Russia.

Sweeney’s passion for justice and disdain for Putin’s Russia are clear. And while that makes the book, the writing style detracted a bit, hence four stars rather than five. Should you read the book if you want to understand more of the courageous life of Navalny and how things work under Putin? Absolutely. Be prepared for the brutal reality of fascism as Sweeney does not hold back. And why should he?

[Tom Schulte · Rating 4 out of 5]

With as probably as much completeness and truth as is possible in the current world, Russian opposition leader and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny's anti-Putin, anti-oligarch career and demise is recounted. This includes the unfortunate, early far-right flirting he did for apparent coalition building to the specific ways his corpse showed the attacks and tortures that led to his death. Sweeney recalls his Navalny's anti-corruption blogging and investigations such as "Putin's palace. The story of the world's biggest bribe", the history of Putin's mansion "the most expensive palace in the world". There are also details on how in August 2020, Navalny was poisoned with the Novichok nerve agent and as a result, was hospitalized in serious condition.

[James Cooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book gave me the impression that Putin has crushed all before him like Stalin and that the best the people of Russia that aren’t crooked and corrupt and everywhere else can hope for is his early death. What emerges is a state underpinned by corruption where the rewards are high but the consequences for failure are dire. Navalny himself is not above criticism but it is vastly outweighed by his bravery in calling out the crooks and belief for a better country on the world stage. An important but quite depressing book with Sweeney’s trademark humour and honesty to give this a lighter touch. Fancy that!

[whomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an important one to provide to the public in regards to the extractive country Russia is. I struggled with the sprinkles of random information between topics and concepts. The flow the book was hard to follow. Maybe it’s the writing style that was difficult to follow along with the multiple names of people that had minimal cameos through the book.

Overall I wish I could give this book 3.5 stars but 4 didn’t make sense to me. Also there is political bias which after reading a book like that once in that manner you can see through it every single time.

[Ruaridh Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An eye opening experience of a book. I could hardly put it down, John Sweeney does an incredible job of writing in the most engaging way about a story so horrifying.

When I started the book I wanted to learn a little more about Alexei Navalny, haven known the relative basics about who he is. I finished the book with an incredible respect for a man that history will remember as a hero.

If I could recommend one book to anyone with an interest in history or geo-politics, then this is it.

[Abstract Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put this down

Stunning work from John Sweeney, as always. I adore that I get to not only read his writing, but listen to the words via John’s own narration.

The topic matter is as ever well researched, facts presented in an engaging via John’s well articulated performance.

Amazing book, a must read for anyone interested in the dark world and times we live in.

[Lori Brewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very factual telling of the events leading up to Alexei Navalny’s death in a Siberian prison. It is amazing how brave Alexei and his wife are when they continue to stand up and speak out against Putin. Too bad the “elections” in Russia are rigged. I think life would be different for Russians if Alexei could have been President. Putin and his cronies are a horrible, despicable group.

[MR PADRAIG MAC DONNCHADHA · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this booked lacked the focus of the excellent Killer in the Kremlin. The title of the book suggests that the book would be about Navalny but it covers so much more than his extraordinary story, including other brave opposition figures.
I was really interested in the content of this book but a little confused and unsure exactly what the focus of the book was.

[Mo · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incredible man that still haunts Putin from his grave. Killing him has not given Putin the reprieve he was clearly hoping for. Sweeny again tells the background story so powerfully of how the Russian system works.

[Jaanika Merilo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweeney is great as always. Maybe it is wrong to compare, but enjoyed his book more than Alexey Navalny´s memories (book "Patriot"). It was ...with more honest flavors and showed how the "main hero evolved"..or not, made mistakes, was heroic....

Very much recommend also "Killer in Kremlin".

[Georgia McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting and eye opening look into Putins Russia. Greatly helped to build my understanding of the topic and corruption occurring. At times hard yo track characters and events (due to sheer amount of information and Russian names). Overall would definitely recommend!

[Antonio · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an interesting book about the live of Navalny and the history of Russia during the years he was alive. The writer uses sarcasm a lot during the book and some times it's funny. The book overall I find it sad because of the topic but I think it's a good book to read.

[Tamsin Ramone · Rating 5 out of 5]

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