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Muerte de un disidente
In 1998, former Russian intelligence officer Alexander "Sasha" Litvinenko denounced the FSB for ordering him to assassinate Boris Berezovsky. After a dramatic escape to London, he spent six years investigating a widening series of scandals and denounced his former employers for their dirty deeds. His assassination in November 2006—poisoned by the rare radioactive element polonium—caused an international sensation. The full story of his life, told by his best friend and widow, opens a window into the dark heart of the Putin Kremlin. Litvinenko dedicated his life to exposing this truth. It took his diabolical murder for the world to listen.
480 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
47 people are currently reading
852 people want to read
About the author
Alex Goldfarb
9 books3 followersAlexander Goldfarb (born in 1947) is a Jewish-Russian-Israeli-American microbiologist, activist, and author.
Goldfarb helped Alexander Litvinenko to leave Russia and prepare the book Lubyanka Criminal Group for publication. Goldfarb was a spokesman for Alexander Litvinenko during the two last weeks of his life. He later wrote and published book Death of a Dissident: The Poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko and the Return of the KGB together with Marina Litvinenko.
Goldfarb helped Alexander Litvinenko to leave Russia and prepare the book Lubyanka Criminal Group for publication. Goldfarb was a spokesman for Alexander Litvinenko during the two last weeks of his life. He later wrote and published book Death of a Dissident: The Poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko and the Return of the KGB together with Marina Litvinenko.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
September 11, 2012
One of many books that will show you how evil Putin is.
February 22, 2008
I found this audiobook a little hard to follow, especially keeping the Russian names straight, and thought it wandered off topic more than I liked. Plus the final police investigation files haven't been released yet, so there's still some speculation as to who / how the agent was poisoned.
August 5, 2016
This is a zinger of a book if you want to find out how dangerous Putin is and get some perspective on the current crisis in Ukraine. You may struggle as I did with the great variety of Russian names, the history of the first and second Chechen wars and the domestic political intrigues that have gone on in Russia over the past few decades but press on, press on - it gets easier. And if you want to find out the background to some of the horrendous news stories we have heard in the west, such as the Moscow apartment bombing, the gassing of hostages and terrorists in the Moscow theatre, the school children hostage crisis in Chechnya and of course the poisoning of Litvinenko with polonium itself, this is the book for you. You will think you are reading a John Le Carré novel but if all that is written in this book is true, the reality is far more scary. The incredible story of how the Chechen leader Dudaev was killed in 1996, by two laser-guided missiles when he was using a satellite phone, after his location was detected by a Russian reconnaissance aircraft (and how US technology was involved), was one of the standout moments in the book for me. But also amazing was the details on Aeroflot as a former front for Russian spying agencies all over the world. The manner of Litvinenko's death in a comparatively safe refuge such as Britain for apparently knowing far too much is a chilling example of the lengths Russia's government-backed so-called security forces will go to to achieve their target. And all roads lead back to Putin.
November 25, 2009
Blimey! What a disturbing book. It is hard to believe it is not fiction but everyone knows that it is not. The story covers the whole of Sasha Litvinenko's life, climaxing with his dramatic poisoning at the end. But in between the nefarious goings-on in Russia are hard to credit and the authors, who, of course, had the inside track on the whole story pull no punches.
Finishing the book leaves one exhausted and in a state of shock that governments can do such things on a regular basis - but they obviously do, in Russia and its satellites, specifically.
To mark it at the end is difficult and I was a little unsure; perhaps it should have one star because of its shockingness and the sometimes difficult understanding of Russian politics, perhaps five because of its apparent truthfulness and the gripping way it is told. I decided it was a choice between three and four and because it was so gripping throughout, although I do stress, shocking, it deserved four.
Let me get back to some plain fictional thrillers! Or perhaps preferably to Dickens' Christmas Carol, which I am currently reading in between times, or anything for some light relief! where is Enid Blyton's Noddy???
Finally, I can fully understand the different views on this book that other readers have expressed because at times it can be difficult to interpret.
Finishing the book leaves one exhausted and in a state of shock that governments can do such things on a regular basis - but they obviously do, in Russia and its satellites, specifically.
To mark it at the end is difficult and I was a little unsure; perhaps it should have one star because of its shockingness and the sometimes difficult understanding of Russian politics, perhaps five because of its apparent truthfulness and the gripping way it is told. I decided it was a choice between three and four and because it was so gripping throughout, although I do stress, shocking, it deserved four.
Let me get back to some plain fictional thrillers! Or perhaps preferably to Dickens' Christmas Carol, which I am currently reading in between times, or anything for some light relief! where is Enid Blyton's Noddy???
Finally, I can fully understand the different views on this book that other readers have expressed because at times it can be difficult to interpret.
January 23, 2021
Por onde começar?...
Esse livro foi uma porta pra entender um pouco sobre questões políticas russa e como um Serviço Federal de Segurança russa é conhecida como KGB. Esse serviço consegue manipular investigações e até causar mortes a sangue frio e envenenamentos e tudo isso é um trabalho em conjunto coordenado por Putin, já que ele nunca trabalhou sozinho para estar no poder a 20 anos. Quem se opõe a Putin é um traidor, o que aconteceu com Alexander Litvinenko (Sasha). Sasha trabalhou nesse serviço por um tempo até se tornar um dissidente e pediu asilo na Inglaterra que viveu por 6 anos e foi envenenado, até hoje o caso não foi a julgamento por questões políticas já que estava em território estrangeiro.
Muitas conspirações a favor de Putin alegam que a morte de Sasha foi por uma boa causa já que ele era considerado um traidor. Agora, acusando Putin ou não de sua morte esse caso não foi solucionado e já se passaram 15 anos. Questões políticas estavam por trás desse acontecimento, possivelmente para tirar o foco de uma possível derrota eleitoral de Putin em 2008.
Enfim.. o foco do livro em si é entender como Putin consegue ter o poder e manipular uma nação para se favorecer.
Esse livro foi uma porta pra entender um pouco sobre questões políticas russa e como um Serviço Federal de Segurança russa é conhecida como KGB. Esse serviço consegue manipular investigações e até causar mortes a sangue frio e envenenamentos e tudo isso é um trabalho em conjunto coordenado por Putin, já que ele nunca trabalhou sozinho para estar no poder a 20 anos. Quem se opõe a Putin é um traidor, o que aconteceu com Alexander Litvinenko (Sasha). Sasha trabalhou nesse serviço por um tempo até se tornar um dissidente e pediu asilo na Inglaterra que viveu por 6 anos e foi envenenado, até hoje o caso não foi a julgamento por questões políticas já que estava em território estrangeiro.
Muitas conspirações a favor de Putin alegam que a morte de Sasha foi por uma boa causa já que ele era considerado um traidor. Agora, acusando Putin ou não de sua morte esse caso não foi solucionado e já se passaram 15 anos. Questões políticas estavam por trás desse acontecimento, possivelmente para tirar o foco de uma possível derrota eleitoral de Putin em 2008.
Enfim.. o foco do livro em si é entender como Putin consegue ter o poder e manipular uma nação para se favorecer.
June 8, 2015
Just started...If I can just keep the characters straight, and pronounce the Russian names, I'll be doing great. OVER A YEAR LATER...I never did finish this book. I lost interest after half....maybe I'll pick it up again later.
April 30, 2013
Extraordinary book; particularly interesting given that the recent Boston marathon bombings suspects are Chechen and Russia's involvement in the investigation. Sasha Litvinenko is a modern day hero and Putin is one scary SOB.
October 9, 2007
I definitely need to learn more about Russian politics and the KGB before attempting this book again. I think it will be interesting when I have a little background knowledge.
December 14, 2018
The bulk of this book examines the many political players and the activities that led to the poisoning and subsequent death of Alexander Litvinenko. Oligarchs, Yeltsin, Putin, the KGB are all touched upon while the wars in Chechnya is a major plot point. Terrorist activities including the apartment bombing and the theater fiasco as well as other assassinations are shared with various theories of execution. An interesting chapter in Russia's political history.
April 15, 2024
This was an education in post-Soviet Russia and the beginnings of Putin. Fascinating history read like fiction; you can't believe this stuff actually happened!
I love history and biographies, which is why I probably loved this book. If you don't know anything about Russia in the 1990s and 2000s, you should read this book.
I love history and biographies, which is why I probably loved this book. If you don't know anything about Russia in the 1990s and 2000s, you should read this book.
September 24, 2023
Its was a hard read until the final chapters! I feel there were too many political stories and people involved for much of the book. Only towards the end did it grab my attention when the main purpose of the story was revealed. I also think the book may have been written too close to his demise as more information could have come to light had it been published further down the line. I gave it 3 stars as it was well written and the ending was interesting but it wasn’t compelling, which given the topic I thought it would be. Would recommend (but not strongly)
October 26, 2022
Taip ir tęsiu skaitinių seriją apie draugišką kaimyninę šalį.
Sukalta panašiai kaip trileris, puslapiai verčiasi lengvai, tinka skaitymui prieš miegą.
Sukalta panašiai kaip trileris, puslapiai verčiasi lengvai, tinka skaitymui prieš miegą.
October 7, 2015
Russian secret service back? Or never went away?
I read the book in Dutch translation. I use Google translation to translate my review in English.
The book captivates if you are interested in developments in Russia after the Soviet era. The beauty of my age is that I am the leading figures from the Cold War and shortly afterwards can still remember vividly. It's not so much that the fate of Litvinenko themselves that make this book so fascinating for me but above all the intrigues and strategies of those in power. It is almost incomprehensible how few had a lifetime in the period described. A period that actually still persists. Names like Putin, Berezovsky, Arbrahamovitsj, Yeltsin and Primakov come along; and much more .. (few women I remember afterwards).
Goldfarb helped Litvinenko to flee - an ex-KGB there who was on the death list of the organization - from the Russian Federation that emerged after the breakup of the Soviet Union. Goldfarb and Litvinenko were equally good friends. Goldfarb was fully initiated into the world of big money in Russia. Goldfarb first worked for the wealthy Greek George Soros a major investor of the first hour of the new Russian Federation. Later he worked for the Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky.
The book gives a fascinating insight into the strategies of Putin. The man who puts back his country at this moment on the world stage of power. The book confirmed his image as a cold and calculating person toward others seem to have no conscience. The more he commits himself fully to the own intelligence services. In addition to his presidency of the Russian Federation he is there also a time the head of the FSB. Somewhere says that Putin has the mentality of a street gang leader. He puts no critical comments about his own organization. He's full solidarity to their own group.
The president of Russia is now more popular than ever. First I read a piece in the book, and then he passes in the journal. It's all so familiar. What frightens is that the Russian people have an ingrained culture of adoration of the strong man. The labile Yeltsin was kneaded and pointed Putin as his successor. The preferred new ruler has the right to "vlast". The nation recognizes and accepts the arbitrariness which the ruler himself to appropriates. That is a historical development in Russia.
The regime has an unclear agenda and a huge ego.Deze people always think ahead. They always try to be one step above, the terms right and justice do not know. They are therefore able to realize it almost impossible for the benefit of themselves. If you read this book, is not it strange that you are concerned about the developments in this part of the world. Which is currently recognized in the Russian strategies for the annexation of the Crimea and bombings in Syria. Let's hope that the world community has sufficient wisdom to handle these challenges.
I read the book in Dutch translation. I use Google translation to translate my review in English.
The book captivates if you are interested in developments in Russia after the Soviet era. The beauty of my age is that I am the leading figures from the Cold War and shortly afterwards can still remember vividly. It's not so much that the fate of Litvinenko themselves that make this book so fascinating for me but above all the intrigues and strategies of those in power. It is almost incomprehensible how few had a lifetime in the period described. A period that actually still persists. Names like Putin, Berezovsky, Arbrahamovitsj, Yeltsin and Primakov come along; and much more .. (few women I remember afterwards).
Goldfarb helped Litvinenko to flee - an ex-KGB there who was on the death list of the organization - from the Russian Federation that emerged after the breakup of the Soviet Union. Goldfarb and Litvinenko were equally good friends. Goldfarb was fully initiated into the world of big money in Russia. Goldfarb first worked for the wealthy Greek George Soros a major investor of the first hour of the new Russian Federation. Later he worked for the Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky.
The book gives a fascinating insight into the strategies of Putin. The man who puts back his country at this moment on the world stage of power. The book confirmed his image as a cold and calculating person toward others seem to have no conscience. The more he commits himself fully to the own intelligence services. In addition to his presidency of the Russian Federation he is there also a time the head of the FSB. Somewhere says that Putin has the mentality of a street gang leader. He puts no critical comments about his own organization. He's full solidarity to their own group.
The president of Russia is now more popular than ever. First I read a piece in the book, and then he passes in the journal. It's all so familiar. What frightens is that the Russian people have an ingrained culture of adoration of the strong man. The labile Yeltsin was kneaded and pointed Putin as his successor. The preferred new ruler has the right to "vlast". The nation recognizes and accepts the arbitrariness which the ruler himself to appropriates. That is a historical development in Russia.
The regime has an unclear agenda and a huge ego.Deze people always think ahead. They always try to be one step above, the terms right and justice do not know. They are therefore able to realize it almost impossible for the benefit of themselves. If you read this book, is not it strange that you are concerned about the developments in this part of the world. Which is currently recognized in the Russian strategies for the annexation of the Crimea and bombings in Syria. Let's hope that the world community has sufficient wisdom to handle these challenges.
October 6, 2008
What is it about power that drives people no end? That and money - billions of dollars worth (or oil ...). It is something that can destroy innocent lives just by snapping one's fingers. Why? Why is it so necessary to build your pyramid (which just goes to show for how many millennia man has been holding onto these two things). Putin didn't fit in anywhere until he got the taste of both of them: 1. Power. 2. Money. Now he can't let go, because letting go means you're not in control. That means losing power.
Sasha (as he was known to friends) Litvinenko was an honest, down to earth, happily married man. He did his work as best he could, but it seems three little letters started hating him: (those in power) at the K-G-B. I doubt that the book was written to say: "This person did it!" or "No, it was THIS one!". The evidence speaks for itself - and Sasha can be grateful that he was such a superfit security officer. If he had've died any earlier, no-one would know that it was Polonium-120 that killed him - something that is only produced in Russia, of which one needs a 1000th of a milligram to kill you (1g can kill half a million people: he was exposed to 3 gigabecquerels of radioactivity = 100 lethal doses, p 336). This is staggering stuff: To obtain this amount of polonium from the end product available on the market, one would have to purchase hundreds of recently manufactured static-electricity devices and develop a technology for extracting, concentrating and handling polonium, which would be virtually impossible for an amateur freelancer. His death could be aligned with that of someone at the epicentre of Hiroshima.
Why did they kill him? Because they felt their money; their power was being threatened by his honesty. If he saw anything that didn't seem right, he had to talk about it. He needed to find the core of it - which is what made him such a good detective. He didn't stop until he found the answer. Unfortunately he found himself in a country filled with scoundrels, where honesty cannot survive. So he had to leave ... and they hunted him down and poisoned him in the UK. 'For no reason?', you ask. Well, we don't know that yet. The facts are all locked up in Scotland Yard.
This book answers so many questions I've had about "spies"; that is, real-life ones. It's not all the fiction writers cracks it up to be. It's a heart-rending tale of life and death (and fraud). With this book, keeping track of the Russian names is quite some task (luckily a comma usually appears after to remind you of where the person fits in). In addition, there are so many things you need to understand about politics and the people at "the top" (of governments)/background, that it's no wonder it needs almost 400 pages to tell it's intriguing story. But once you've started, you too would want to get to the bottom of it.
Sasha (as he was known to friends) Litvinenko was an honest, down to earth, happily married man. He did his work as best he could, but it seems three little letters started hating him: (those in power) at the K-G-B. I doubt that the book was written to say: "This person did it!" or "No, it was THIS one!". The evidence speaks for itself - and Sasha can be grateful that he was such a superfit security officer. If he had've died any earlier, no-one would know that it was Polonium-120 that killed him - something that is only produced in Russia, of which one needs a 1000th of a milligram to kill you (1g can kill half a million people: he was exposed to 3 gigabecquerels of radioactivity = 100 lethal doses, p 336). This is staggering stuff: To obtain this amount of polonium from the end product available on the market, one would have to purchase hundreds of recently manufactured static-electricity devices and develop a technology for extracting, concentrating and handling polonium, which would be virtually impossible for an amateur freelancer. His death could be aligned with that of someone at the epicentre of Hiroshima.
Why did they kill him? Because they felt their money; their power was being threatened by his honesty. If he saw anything that didn't seem right, he had to talk about it. He needed to find the core of it - which is what made him such a good detective. He didn't stop until he found the answer. Unfortunately he found himself in a country filled with scoundrels, where honesty cannot survive. So he had to leave ... and they hunted him down and poisoned him in the UK. 'For no reason?', you ask. Well, we don't know that yet. The facts are all locked up in Scotland Yard.
This book answers so many questions I've had about "spies"; that is, real-life ones. It's not all the fiction writers cracks it up to be. It's a heart-rending tale of life and death (and fraud). With this book, keeping track of the Russian names is quite some task (luckily a comma usually appears after to remind you of where the person fits in). In addition, there are so many things you need to understand about politics and the people at "the top" (of governments)/background, that it's no wonder it needs almost 400 pages to tell it's intriguing story. But once you've started, you too would want to get to the bottom of it.
January 28, 2010
Finally!! I'm through! This book has been following me around for quite some time now and, to be honest, I've had enough now.
It is a good book. BUT (there's always a but, somewhere in a story...) for me it was a bit disappointing. The story wasn't a story about 'Litvinenko', but is was even more one about Russian politics in the last decade. With all the intrigues, the hatred, the games. And, to tell you the thruth, that's not something I'm very fond of.
For me the first and the last part were the best. These were the 'adventures' and death of Litvinenko. The middle part, about conspiracies, political friendships and no-more friendships, was not really my cup of tea. Sorry...
It is a good book. BUT (there's always a but, somewhere in a story...) for me it was a bit disappointing. The story wasn't a story about 'Litvinenko', but is was even more one about Russian politics in the last decade. With all the intrigues, the hatred, the games. And, to tell you the thruth, that's not something I'm very fond of.
For me the first and the last part were the best. These were the 'adventures' and death of Litvinenko. The middle part, about conspiracies, political friendships and no-more friendships, was not really my cup of tea. Sorry...
November 30, 2015
Alex Goldfarb and Alexander Litvinenko's wife have collaborated to give facts that make for an interesting story . The 'DOINGS " of the Russian oligarchs is something that we can only glimpse at through the writings of John Le Care. A well written stoet that made me be more aware .
February 8, 2008
A must read for Russia watchers.
April 7, 2009
It wasn't very well written, and I got the feeling that the author was pretty excited about himself. But it was ok.
May 8, 2010
If you can get past the minor confusion of some similarly named principals (e.g. two men named Boris), you will learn just how evil Vladimir Putin is.
Read
April 23, 2011Intriguing, interesting definitely a must read.
September 19, 2012
If you're tempted to think the US had embarked on a new era of amity with the kinder, gentler rump of the old Soviet Union this is a must-read. Eye-opening. Chilling.
April 9, 2022
Labai gera knyga šiam metui . Perskaičius supranti , kaip niekas vienoje valstybėje nepasikeitę . Valdymo forma , tikslai , strategijos , poelgiai …..
May 15, 2022
Este livro mostra inequivocamente o mundo de trevas que controla o Kremlin desde 2000, com a ida do Putin para o poder, através do álcoolatra Iéltsin que achava que este era um tipo incorruptivel e duro. Foi este presidente que deu inicio à privatização da antiga União Soviética, e obviamente ao fim do Socialismo, após o anterior presidente, Gorbatchov (ou Gorbachev) ter a dissolvido com a emancipação de 15 estados. Iéltsin, tal como o Putin odeiam o Comunismo o que muitos Comunistas Portugueses ignoram.
Foi escrito por um homem que ajudou Alexander Litvinenko a fugir da Russia e um amigo e interlocutor de grandes figuras desta época, nomeadamente George Soros (trabalhava para ele) e Berezovsky. Este último ajudou o Vladimir Putin a chegar à presidência mas posteriormente à publicação deste livro conseguiu finalmente assassina-lo. Uma prática comum que este ditador utiliza para eliminar os seus opositores
Este livro biográfico mostra que desde 2000 a Russia tem sido governada por um grupo de homens do FSB (antiga KGB) e que utiliza todos os meios ao seu alcance para eliminar os seus opositores . Nesse sentido este livro é fabuloso e tudo o que li, consegui comprovar por outras fontes.
Alexander Litvinenko foi um agente do FSB que teve a ousadia e ingenuidade de comunicar ao próprio Putin - assim que este assumiu a chefia deste organismo - toda a 'podridão' que existia, inclusivé ao mais alto nível, com ligações à mafia russa e a outros negócios criminosos. Mais tarde quando lhe encomendaram a tarefa de eliminar Berezovsky, este deu uma conferencia de imprensa onde o denunciou. A partir deste momento ficou condenado e teve que fugir para o Reino Unido.
Entretanto Putin acabou com a comunicação social livre e começou a eliminar fisicamente todos os seus opositores, um autêntico Estaline. Alexander Litvinenko mais tarde descobriu que estes facinoras tinham encenado atentados em Moscovo, onde morreram centenas de pessoas , para terem o apoio publico para bombardear Grózny onde faleceram quase 30.000 pessoas inocentes.Tinha provas irrefutáveis e também por isso foi morto.
ps : o seu assassinato com material radioactivo está provado inequivocamente que foi executado pelo Kremlin e inclusive até os nomes dos autores se sabe. A Russia foi condenada pelo Tribunal Europeu dos Direitos Humanos por este crime.
Foi escrito por um homem que ajudou Alexander Litvinenko a fugir da Russia e um amigo e interlocutor de grandes figuras desta época, nomeadamente George Soros (trabalhava para ele) e Berezovsky. Este último ajudou o Vladimir Putin a chegar à presidência mas posteriormente à publicação deste livro conseguiu finalmente assassina-lo. Uma prática comum que este ditador utiliza para eliminar os seus opositores
Este livro biográfico mostra que desde 2000 a Russia tem sido governada por um grupo de homens do FSB (antiga KGB) e que utiliza todos os meios ao seu alcance para eliminar os seus opositores . Nesse sentido este livro é fabuloso e tudo o que li, consegui comprovar por outras fontes.
Alexander Litvinenko foi um agente do FSB que teve a ousadia e ingenuidade de comunicar ao próprio Putin - assim que este assumiu a chefia deste organismo - toda a 'podridão' que existia, inclusivé ao mais alto nível, com ligações à mafia russa e a outros negócios criminosos. Mais tarde quando lhe encomendaram a tarefa de eliminar Berezovsky, este deu uma conferencia de imprensa onde o denunciou. A partir deste momento ficou condenado e teve que fugir para o Reino Unido.
Entretanto Putin acabou com a comunicação social livre e começou a eliminar fisicamente todos os seus opositores, um autêntico Estaline. Alexander Litvinenko mais tarde descobriu que estes facinoras tinham encenado atentados em Moscovo, onde morreram centenas de pessoas , para terem o apoio publico para bombardear Grózny onde faleceram quase 30.000 pessoas inocentes.Tinha provas irrefutáveis e também por isso foi morto.
ps : o seu assassinato com material radioactivo está provado inequivocamente que foi executado pelo Kremlin e inclusive até os nomes dos autores se sabe. A Russia foi condenada pelo Tribunal Europeu dos Direitos Humanos por este crime.
June 19, 2023
Who was Alexander Litvinenko? Why was he in London? What had happened in Russia since the end of the Cold War to make his life there untenable, and even in severe jeopardy in Britain? How did he really die, and who killed him? In his spokesman and close friend, Alex Goldfarb, and his widow Marina, we have two people who know more than anyone about the real Sasha Litvinenko, and about his murder. In this book, they present the definitive account of these strange and troubling events. A real-life espionage thriller, their riveting book sheds astonishing light now just in this tragic story but also on the biggest crisis in relations with Russia since the fall of the Berlin Wall.
—
My thoughts (with some spoilers):
You would think this book is written by someone like John Le Carre but this is a scarily true story. I’m not overly familiar with the rise of Putin or how the Russian government works so some of the heavier detail was a bit of a loss and a drag to me. But one thing was a real standout, how evil Putin really is. Like, I know he is a seriously bad dude but it was fascinating to see his climb to the top and how he would eliminate anyone who got in his way. Putin has always been dangerous and it puts some perspective on what he is currently doing with Ukraine.
I did find that the book went a little bit off topic of Sasha but the story was still fascinating. I would think that this book would definitely suit someone who has an interest in Russian history (specially the Chechen wars) and politics. At the front of the book there is a handy guide on who is who. I found this really useful as I would often get the Russian names mixed up.
—
My thoughts (with some spoilers):
You would think this book is written by someone like John Le Carre but this is a scarily true story. I’m not overly familiar with the rise of Putin or how the Russian government works so some of the heavier detail was a bit of a loss and a drag to me. But one thing was a real standout, how evil Putin really is. Like, I know he is a seriously bad dude but it was fascinating to see his climb to the top and how he would eliminate anyone who got in his way. Putin has always been dangerous and it puts some perspective on what he is currently doing with Ukraine.
I did find that the book went a little bit off topic of Sasha but the story was still fascinating. I would think that this book would definitely suit someone who has an interest in Russian history (specially the Chechen wars) and politics. At the front of the book there is a handy guide on who is who. I found this really useful as I would often get the Russian names mixed up.
April 5, 2019
I found this book fascinating, engaging, and very sad. Alexander Litvinenko was a professional member of the FSB - the internal spy organisation of Russia - the successor to the KGB. He was also an idealist with a strong sense of right and wrong. Unfortunately what he felt was wrong had become the new normal for Russia. Criminal gangs had taken over the highest levels of government and the government was a law unto itself. This book exposes the secrets and machinations of the power games that took place towards the end of Yeltsin's reign and the takeover by Putin. There is a lot to take in that to really appreciate the book a second reading and lots of notes are required. It is worth it though for the way the seemingly incomprehensible wars, assassinations and trials actually all fit together. Litvenenko teamed up with Soros and Abramovich and unfortunately paid the price with his chilling murder by plutonium. This book explains why this happened and the explanation makes you realise what a criminal empire has been spawned in Russia. This is so much more than just a spy being paid back for defecting. It may not be the best written book, and certainly is not the full story - but as an introduction and explanation of what took place in London in 2006 it is essential reading.
March 3, 2024
Before I met this book I barely remember Litvinenko from the news, I remember that a former KGB agent fled to UK and there has was poisoned by KGB. I remember that the press followed this event for a while and he quickly died.
His book titled "Litvinenko Death of a dissident" is not about only Litvinenko case, it is a wonderful book depicting the events after the fall of USSR.
The book is written in a political thriller manner but it is in fact history of an era. The books starts with Yeltsin era, tells how the oligarks made their fortunes, how Berezovsky or Abramovich came to power,raise of Putin...etc
You can see that the political system is not different than the soviet era but just the name is changed, all the political corruption, KGB hidden operations...still continue.
This book was a good reading for me after Anna Politkovskaya books.
His book titled "Litvinenko Death of a dissident" is not about only Litvinenko case, it is a wonderful book depicting the events after the fall of USSR.
The book is written in a political thriller manner but it is in fact history of an era. The books starts with Yeltsin era, tells how the oligarks made their fortunes, how Berezovsky or Abramovich came to power,raise of Putin...etc
You can see that the political system is not different than the soviet era but just the name is changed, all the political corruption, KGB hidden operations...still continue.
This book was a good reading for me after Anna Politkovskaya books.
January 6, 2025
На русском книга вышла под названием "Саша, Володя, Борис... История убийства". (Sasha, Volodya, Boris... A Murder History). Она отличается от изданий на других языках. Вот что сказал об этом автор, Алекс Гольдфарб:
"Во-первых, мы значительно переписали старую версию. Мы практически написали ее заново. Первая версия была написана по-английски и потом уже переводилась на все другие языки. Русскоязычному читателю не надо объяснять многие вещи, которые надо объяснять иностранцам, и наоборот, можно добавить массу деталей. Помимо этого, книга была завершена весной 2007 года, и заканчивалась собственно убийством Александра Литвиненко. Сейчас, за прошедшие 4 года накопилось много нового, много новых версий, фактов, развитие политики вокруг этого дела. Все это вошло в книгу. Так что она значительно больше по объему." (Интервью "Голосу Америки" 9.03.2011 г.)
"Во-первых, мы значительно переписали старую версию. Мы практически написали ее заново. Первая версия была написана по-английски и потом уже переводилась на все другие языки. Русскоязычному читателю не надо объяснять многие вещи, которые надо объяснять иностранцам, и наоборот, можно добавить массу деталей. Помимо этого, книга была завершена весной 2007 года, и заканчивалась собственно убийством Александра Литвиненко. Сейчас, за прошедшие 4 года накопилось много нового, много новых версий, фактов, развитие политики вокруг этого дела. Все это вошло в книгу. Так что она значительно больше по объему." (Интервью "Голосу Америки" 9.03.2011 г.)
April 18, 2022
This book has been on my list for years, and the timing of it now was enlightening. It explains so much about Putin and the current Ukraine crisis. The story of what happened to Litvenenko is terrible, and even worse because it’s happened to many without the same publicity.
I will say, this particular audiobook version was a little odd. I think it was abridged, so there were parts los-chapter/section where these odd musical interludes would pop up out of nowhere, and then it would start again in what felt like nearly the same spot. So that was strange. And the narrator changed name pronunciations unexpectedly so sometimes it was hard to tell who was being discussed or quoted. I’d recommend either a different version or the print book.
I will say, this particular audiobook version was a little odd. I think it was abridged, so there were parts los-chapter/section where these odd musical interludes would pop up out of nowhere, and then it would start again in what felt like nearly the same spot. So that was strange. And the narrator changed name pronunciations unexpectedly so sometimes it was hard to tell who was being discussed or quoted. I’d recommend either a different version or the print book.
February 22, 2021
Reading about Alexander "Sasha" Litvinenko, I realise that there is greater resemblance to current Alexei Navalny who has dedicated his life to oppose Putin’s dictatorship. Since his election (Putin), he has had quite a number of scandals involving his use of FSB to carry out atrocities and attacks on other countries (Chechnya) and other dissenters as well. Litvinenko, a former FSB agent himself tried exposing some of these atrocities which led to his death after Polonium - 210 poisoning in the Britain where he had been living.
June 27, 2020
Of course for a story of this magnitude one cannot focus on Alexander Litvinenko alone. You need to take a couple of steps back and look at the entire picture, in order to understand why such an assassination could take place. The book does just that. It offers an excellent overview of Russian politics, the KGB and FSB and then it focuses on the poisoning of Litvinenko and his death. One could mistake it for a John le Carré novel, but reality is always beyond anything we could imagine.
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