The Return of the Russian Leviathan

‘This is the best treatise on contemporary Russia since John Reed’s pamphlet that shook the world one hundred years ago. Moving from the endangered Arctic to the occupied Crimea and from the politics of the body to memory wars, Medvedev reveals a political machine based on vanity, manipulation and fear of its own people. Broad-ranging in scope and mind-blowing in details, this book is a must for everyone who is concerned about Russia’s present and future.’
Alexander Etkind, author of Internal Colonization: Russia’s Imperial Experience

‘Is Putin’s regime a Russian peculiarity or is it simply the Russian version of a global trend? Was it inevitable or was it accidental? If you are worried by these questions, read this passionately analytical book.’
Ivan Krastev, Chairman, Centre for Liberal Strategies, Sofia

‘While there are many books about President Vladimir Putin’s Russia, there are few that nail its realities with the same combination of academic precision, acerbic wit and anger as this. Well-researched analysis might be expected of a professor of Moscow’s Higher School of Economics, but not necessarily the humour and passion that run through the striking work.’
The Financial Times

‘Medvedev's portrait of Russia is brilliant, wry and minutely observed -- and, like its title, often bitterly ironic.’
Times Literary Supplement

‘acerbic and splendidly argumentative... dazzling.’
New Internationalist

"As a portrait of the cultural moment and debunking of the Kremlin’s talking points, [this] book is brilliant."
Los Angeles Review of Books

"A more astute, knowledgeable and eloquent guide is hard to imagine. Steeped in Russian culture and history, Mr. Medvedev is witty and sardonic in the laughter-through-tears (smekh skvoz slyozy) tradition of Russian literature. He draws on political sociology, linguistics and social psychology, yet his prose, even in translation, is sparkling."
The Wall Street Journal

"Professor Medvedev’s analyses will interest scholars of Russia, comparativists and international relations scholars, policy specialists, and laypersons."
Terrorism and Political Violence

“This book provides an explicit and composite picture of a society; the mindset of the leaders and the led; and an intimation of the future for the nation, should its governance continue its present path.”
The Naval Review

"[A]n illuminating and at times brilliant series of short essays on different aspects on Russian life."
PRISM

“a tour de force that leaves the reader open-mouthed at its sweep”
Rights in Russia

"darkly absorbing"
The Tangential

"a fascinating trip through contemporary Russia… With a brilliant analysis of Russian contemporary society and an insightful depiction of its political regime, the book is a must to anyone who is willing to grasp Russia’s recent conservative wave."
Connexe