The Dissident: Alexey Navalny: Profile of a Political Prisoner

by David Herszenhorn

A news-driven biography of Vladimir Putin’s nemesis Alexey Navalny— lawyer, blogger, anti-corruption crusader, protest organizer, political opposition leader, mayoral and presidential candidate, campaign strategist, provocateur, poisoning victim, dissident, and now, prisoner of conscience and anti-war crusader. THE DISSIDENT is the story of how one fearless man, offended by the dishonesty and criminality of the Russian political system, mounted a relentless opposition movement and became President Vladimir Putin’s most formidable rival—so despised that the Russian leader makes a point of never uttering Navalny’s name.
 
There’s an old saying that Russia without corruption isn’t Russia. Alexey Navalny refuses to accept this proposition. His stubborn insistence that Russians can defy the stereotype and create an entirely different country made him such a threat to Putin that the Kremlin wanted him exiled—or dead—and now seems intent on keeping him locked in a prison colony for decades. 
 
International correspondent David M. Herszenhorn, weaves together the threads of Navalny’s remarkable life and Riveting and complex, THE DISSIDENT introduces readers to modern Russia’s greatest agitator, a man willing to sacrifice his freedom—and even his own life—to build the decent, democratic country he wants to live in and hopes to pass on to his children.

Genres: Politics, History, Russia, Nonfiction, Biography

320 pages, Hardcover

Published October 31, 2023

Reviews

[MJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know if this was actually a good book or I was just engrossed in the subject matter, but I could not put it down. I had seen the documentary which was crazy enough in itself. The book gave a lot of context on Navalny's investigations and the corruption he unearthed for years before his global recognition.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an unauthorized biography of Alexey Navalny, the man who came to be the face of Russian political opposition and who, in plausible likelihood, was murdered for his efforts.

David Herszenhorn does a very good job in tracing Navalny’s political past, as well as shedding some light on his personal life. With 9 pages of works cited, the author clearly did his homework. The book is also pleasantly current, including recent events such as the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as last year’s attempted mutiny/coup/whatever by the warlord Prigozhin. Indeed, it feels like almost a total biography of Navalny, lacking only his death.

The best quality of Herszenhorn’s book is its generally impartial presentation. Russia is understandably a hot-button issue, all the more so since the invasion of Ukraine, but the author doesn’t add any personal thoughts to the story. There are small tangents here and there where the author does discuss his views on a given matter, but in my eyes these were balanced in nature (i.e. not overly pro- or anti-Navalny) and did not detract from the book.

I read this ultimately to bear witness to the life of a figure that stands alongside the most recognized political prisoners of the modern era. Even if Navalny was not killed by Putin and his government (something I personally believe probably happened), he was undeniably poisoned with a banned chemical agent (multiple times, as was his wife), harassed, illegally imprisoned and slandered for years. I believe we, as observant people, owe it to one another to witness and acknowledge such atrocities, and hold them accountable.

Five stars for a book that was enlightening, captivating, and infuriating, and five stars for a man who gave his life in the name of helping his fellow countrymen.

[Kaline Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I definitely enjoyed the book, but I did like Navalny’s diaries PATRIOT much better- I think that goes without saying. But this is a terrific alternative and adds a little more to the outside views of his story.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Navalny has been an activist against the tyranny of Putin and the Russian system of government for a number of years. Sometimes the reported acts against him almost seemed staged, but they were not. There have been poisonings, repeated isolations, repeated lengthening of his number of years sentenced to prison. His family has also been prohibited from seeing him. While in prison he has gone on hunger strike protests and has spoken out against the aggression against Ukraine. The book is written in the style of a journalist, but hopefully will bring his message and suffering to more Westerners.
I requested and received an EARC from Twelve Books, Twelve via NetGalley.
12/15/2023 At this point he has been "missing" for over a week.
Declared dead 16 February 2024 and his wife, Yulia Navalnaya, of over 23 years is continuing the fight.

[Gary Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very insightful read both the life of Navalny and the paranoia of Putin. He truly was a man of his convictions and ultimately gave his life. It is clear from the book the lengths Putin will go to so there is no challenge to his power and corruption!

[Leslie Zemeckis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! The story of a man’s battle for his country is complicated and complex. From his beginnings to his current imprisonment …

[Abdalla Nasef · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Everything will be all right. And, even if it won't be, we’ll have the consolation of having lived honest lives.”
Alexei Navalny

[Erika Baughn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so interesting! Hearing about his battle to help his country and that he never gave up or waivered.

[Sandra O'hagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book about one man’s fight against Russian corruption and his work to try to become the opposition leader in Russia.
While the world watched, he was repeatedly assaulted, poisoned and imprisoned for speaking out.
The book was written prior to his untimely “murder” in a Russian prison and again the world has been a spectator to the autocracies committed against this man and his family.
I think Navalny went far beyond what he should have to poke the bear (Putin) but hopefully his courageous work will continue and more people will stand up to the fascist dictator running the country.
The book is riveting because I can’t even imagine a world without democracy but I did feel the author jumped around a bit while telling the story and that is why I didn’t give this 5 stars.

[Logan Mercer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Navalny is a freak first of all. It’s a good look into his life but damn was he weird. It’s bizarre that the author goes to great lengths to talk about how Navalny didn’t want to be called a dissident, then proceeds to call the book “the dissident”

[Sean Lemons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a well-researched book. Was so interesting to know the full story of his career in the public eye, as context for the last ten years or so. It also gave me a much better understanding of Russia's backslide into authoritarianism after such a brief stop at democracy.

[Adam DuBard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd like to give this book a 3.5/5, but overall I think it's closer to 3 than 4. It's well-researched, and is a really interesting look at politics and corruption in Russia. Through no fault of the author's, the lack of direct access to Navalny, as he's currently locked up in a work prison in Russia, certainly takes away from the effectiveness of the book. I also would have liked to hear some more opinions from people that might not necessarily agree with everything he's done, although to say the book withholds criticism of his anti-immigrant and nationalist views would be inaccurate. Overall it's an interesting look at an important figure, and definitely worth your time for anyone interested in Russian politics.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was OK this book was written about a year before his death. I was hoping to read about his life in Russia as a politician and activist, his childhood, growing up years, his family. I read about 50 pages and gave up. I expected much more. It didn’t seem like it was getting anywhere. I hope someone who knows him will author a biography of his life. There are many reporting on him on Youtube. Putin’s Palace, authors, journalists, lectures who spoke about him. That fill in the blanks about Alexei Navalney.

[Alexandria Avona · Rating 5 out of 5]

He leaves behind a wife and two children. Where was his Western support? These people are disgusting. I can't imagine having to do this on your own. The judicial corruption to the point he viewed the Russian court system like a joke is starting to sound disturbingly like Washington State where Covid nineteen touched down. The fact that if you are invited to an investigation you will be accused of ten crimes in Russian again sounds again a lot like Washington State. Not forgiving, not forgetting and then saying a whistleblower was a goodie two shoes sounds very confused on his part, you can't both take a crap on something and then call it, but I can understand not knowing who to trust as WikiLeaks is beleaguered with ego contests instead of focusing on winning together, and I do see he struggled with a lot of that. Edward Snowden is probably the link as to why Washington state is starting to look more and more like Putin's Russia, and his excuse is always the same; he was trying to save himself. Then why could this man say that he was not afraid of prison and would continue to fight and never said he was just trying to save himself? He struggled with confusion, but that is to be expected when you are not receiving the support you deserve while going through all that, under a promise of a Western democratic dream that seems impossible given the current nature of cruelty in your country. But I can't imagine the terror of doing this by yourself. This was a really strong, brave soul that apparently is very rare in Russia. I cannot imagine the grief of his two children. Truly disgusting and evil he didn't get the support he needed at the end. Nobody is going to be politically correct while being terrorized by someone who will try to terrorize your wife simply for being your wife upon your death. That is truly a disgusting environment. I don't see any Christian decency in attacking his wife and children. I can't imagine trying to fight from within a system that corrupt, all while finding out you're battling Western egos to boot who can't prioritize this fight over their vanity in a really pathetic fashion as well. I can't imagine that terror, and that will have a huge effect on your being acerbic or otherwise. Anyone who demands otherwise is lucky to be spared of the same that would force them to understand. Because if they had to go through it, they would be forced to understand. I hope his family receives the peace and support they deserve.

He died in bravery. He is a real hero. That is real bravery. And that he is dead should have Western support looking itself deeply in the eyes and asking where the f*ck were you for this man.

Truly horrifying that they're going after the wife and children while they are literally grieving the loss of their father. That says everything.

[Margaret Retsema · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the first half of this book in a day - and suddenly came to a screeching halt. It seemed to have flow issues. It started off pretty quickly detailing his 2020 poisoning - which made him more of a household name in Western news. It described the actors, the response, his life-saving treatment, and healing in Germany. It was riveting. There are some great lines here, too:
"Navalny, who otherwise seemed in a near-catatonic state, looked up at one point and exclaimed: 'What the fuck is going on here?' Volkov later told him, 'That's when I knew you'd be ok.'"

We jumped backed to his childhood, which was also an interesting, satisfying portion. But then, it reverts to his adulthood and introduction to Russian politics. This is where it got a bit dry. In these chapters, new "characters" are introduced every few paragraphs and to be embarrassingly honest, I couldn't keep the Russian names straight. I had to keep using my Kindle search feature to look up the names as a reminder of who they were.

This is no judgment of the author, but its worth stating, in case this was not the authors intention. I was surprised to learn how racist Navalny actually is (for clarify- racist to anyone other than his specific Russian ethnicity, not just those of other countries or skin color), and not just that, but a hypocritical one. He seemed to be realizing that his brand of "ethnic nationalism" (as stated in book) didn't seem to get him as far as he hoped and later backtracked on many of his more racist comments. At first describing a video in which Navalny suggests the "handling" of immigrants with a pistol (akin to a cockroach handled with a shoe), he later states "I believe it's essential to explain to them that the problem of illegal migration is going to be solved not by violence against migrants but by other means entirely, democratic methods."

I picked up this book expecting a riveting True Crime narrative, but instead found it to be more of a detailed history lesson. However, I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in the intricate history of governments, rather than just the crimes themselves.

Thank you for the opportunity to review!

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for a digital ARC of this book and to Twelve Books. The Publication of this book was on October 31st 2023.

Getting unfiltered information from certain countries in the world can be trying at times. And the filter comes from both the country in question and our own country that wants us to perceive that country in a certain way.

So when I began reading this book I was fairly new to my journey on the ways in which my country (United States)lies to us. So I had to shake off previous perceptions of Russia and generalzations I had.

The author does a good job of laying out the foundation of the who, who's and the players in the Russia and the series of events that took place to lead the country to where it is today.

My main issue is the jumping around in time within a paragraph. I understand the author is a political journalist for Moscow and knows in detail about what he is talking about and if it was a subject I was more familiar with I would be able to follow but I did get confused several times. But not enough to not want to keep reading.

I think parts of every chapter are accesible to everyone and some are less dense more attinable for the average non fiction reader. I look forward to continuing reading more on this subject matter and others so I'm more aware of the affairs of foreign affairs and culture and politics.

[Colby Santana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although covering incredibly interesting subject matter, this book is fundamentally disorganized. The book darts around, relaying anecdotes from Navalny’s fascinating life in an overall messy fashion. Furthermore, the book seems to have a slightly off-centered focal-lens when detailing Navalny’s life. It spends significant time detailing the political figure’s quirky adoration of Arnold Schwarzenegger and the TV show “Rick and Morty,” while only dedicating 5ish pages of information about his innovative “smart voting” initiative. There are moments in this book that are truly engrossing, but never does this biography feel like a concise narrative. I did appreciate the special attention dedicated to covering Navalny’s LiveJournal postings but I just felt as if this work could’ve been better imagined. While I have my critiques, I will note that it’s author has spent significant time researching this subject and I commend his accessible and page-turning writing style.

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though this is nonfiction, I was so stressed out following this story that I had to go look him up to see how he is right now. Multiple murder attempts and he keeps going back home because he believes his country can do better! And he's crazy brave, but of course Putin didn't give up on making sure that if his assassination attempts kept falling, that Alexey Navalny is not free.
I hope he becomes free. His wife and daughter are brave too. Navalny was taunting Putin, calling him an underwear poisoner. With the war on Ukraine, who knows what will happen?
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

[The Part-Time Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really interesting read, offering a look behind the curtain into Alexey Navalny life and work. In a time when so many countries are experiencing a rise in authoritarianism, fascism, and right-wing extremism, Navalny reminds us of what we, as citizens, are capable of. From his disdain for the word "dissident" to his continued taunting of Russia's political elite, Navalny truly showed that one can be humble and yet incredibly powerful.

If you are feeling like the world is against you, and your community, and you feel incredibly helpless throughout it all...read this book, be inspired by Navalny's story, and fight back.

[Alexander Muñoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A methodical and well researched work centered on the life and crusade of Alexey Navalny to transform Russia from a country plagued by corruption and autocracy, to one that mirrors its European neighbors. This work provides a timeline for the reader to see the rise of Vladimir Putin and the apathy the Russian people as more and more of their rights are stripped under the guise of free and fair elections.

The love Alexey Navalny had for his country is evident throughout this book, one can hope that his legacy will survive and his vision of a free Russia will someday be true.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Am sucker for “backstories”. This is the tragic story, initially leaked out of Russia and followed in the West through dribs and drabs, of a man driven to by ego and principle that ultimately lead to martyrdom. Not a long, academic tome of who did what on what day; but, a crisp,easy-to-read saga of a patriot and the machinations of “post-Soviet” Russia. There’s a special place in hell awaiting the czar-for-life for he who refused even to speak the name ALEXEI NAVALNY.

Read it and weep. In our tattered democracy, one might nightmare just where the U.S. is headed with its 1%, Ultra-Right, ANTIFA, geographic (and political) isolation….

R.I.P. Mr. Navalny.

🌹

[Scotty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many biographies, especially politically tinted biographies, tend to over-glamorize the subject and paint them as a saint. This book does a good job of giving a realistic picture of Navalny (in my opinion; I didn't know the man). Herszenhorn does not shy away from discussing Navalny's questionable nationalist or xenophobic views. All that said, though, Navalny was a human, so he of course had his share of flaws. But he stood up to Putin, corruption, and a fundamentally broken Russian political system until the very end. Tragic that he did not make it out of his final prison sentence.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Depressing in it's optimism, this book walks the reader through a nation that truly seems destined to repeat history no matter what anyone is willing to do about it. Navalny had his faults, that is clear. But his passion overrides everything else. Yet, this book rings similar to 1984, where the dissident is, in time, ultimately dealt with and destroyed by the well-oiled dictatorial regime. Putin will die some day, but I have little hope he won't be replaced by more of the same.

[Eric Leeson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book paints a portrait of an imperfect man trying to keep his country from backsliding into its past. He tried to maintain a shadow of democracy against an oligarchy that has seized power and does not seem will ever relinquish it. I know that Alexey was assassinated by his government after the publication of this book; and Russia is all the poorer for that. He had his faults, but he was a voice that spoke truth in a country controlled by lies.

[Praveen Raina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always admired the life and times of Alexei Navalny. It takes great courage to stand before Putin and his style of ruling.
The book gives a first hand account to the reader like me who wanted to study more about the recently deceased hero of Russia. Overall a compelling read and virtual treasure house for me.

[Kathryn Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always be brave enough to stand up for what you believe in

There are few people who have voluntarily put themselves in harms way as Navalny did. It should be read by free people everywhere who take their freedom forgranted. He reminded me of Martin Luther King, Jr., who knew he would not live to see his dream fulfilled. Putin killed him, but his sacrifices will not be forgotten.

[Jeffrey Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so admire people like this-brave enough to take on such an adversarial governmental party-United Russia-that seems like an impossible fight. To sacrifice your life with your family for a cause you are so passionate about. He's definitely a braver man than most, certainly myself. Can't wait to read the "Patriot" which came out after his death.

[MJ Beaufrand · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a toughy. I bought it before he died, then read it right after, hoping to shed some light about what he believed in. Alas, if you're not familiar with Russian politics (not just Putin), it's a tough read. I skimmed the whole thing.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learning more about Navalny, who was by no means perfect or a saint, but who regardless, was an incredibly brave and principled man. I am in awe of his courage, and can only hope that his sacrifice was not in vain.

[Nina Keller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Portrait of a political dissident whom I admire. His fearlessness and resistance in the face of Putin’s corrupt authority is showcased alongside his life, family, flaws, and legacy. I am incredibly saddened that Russia finally killed this hero in Siberian prison. Horrific.