The Man Without A Face by Masha Gessen Summary
Overview of The Man Without A Face
Masha Gessen's chilling expose reveals Putin's ruthless ascent from KGB obscurity to absolute power. A National Book Award finalist that Anne Applebaum calls "meticulous," this investigation asks: How did a faceless bureaucrat reshape Russia - and potentially the world order?
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Key takeaways
The Assassination That Signaled a New Era
When journalist Masha Gessen received a late-night call about politician Galina Starovoitova's murder in 1998, she couldn't have known this moment marked the beginning of Russia's descent into darkness. Starovoitova, an anthropologist turned democracy advocate, had been gunned down in her apartment building-a brazen killing that would become the first note in a symphony of political violence. This wasn't just another crime in a chaotic post-Soviet landscape. It was a warning shot, an early tremor before the earthquake. Within months, an obscure former KGB officer named Vladimir Putin would rise from the shadows to become Russia's most powerful leader since Stalin. His ascent would transform a country that had briefly tasted freedom back into an authoritarian state where murder, media suppression, and fear became tools of governance. Understanding Putin's rise isn't just about comprehending Russian politics-it's about witnessing how democracies die and how one man's pathology can reshape an entire nation's destiny.
The Making of a Predator
Democracy's Brief Window and Putin's Infiltration
The Anatomy of Corruption
The Accidental Dictator
The Systematic Destruction of Freedom
The Man Without a Face and Russia's Future
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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