Reading List
Garry Kasparov
Former World Chess Champion · Renew Democracy Initiative
Garry Kasparov is a former World Chess Champion, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the game. Since retiring from professional chess in 2005 he has become a prominent writer and pro-democracy activist, chairing the Renew Democracy Initiative and speaking out on Russian politics, authoritarianism, and the future of technology.
The Man Without a Face
The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin
by Masha Gessen · 2012 · Biography
“Masha Gessen's book on Putin is best I know well. Operative in the Kremlin also has a lot of details. & Browder.” — via Tweet, October 2015
Mr. Putin
by Fiona Hill, Clifford G. Gaddy · 2012 · Biography
“Masha Gessen's book on Putin is best I know well. Operative in the Kremlin also has a lot of details. & Browder.” — via Tweet, October 2015
The Less You Know, the Better You Sleep
Russia's road to terror and dictatorship under Yeltsin and Putin
by David Satter · 2016 · History
“Several books by Masha Gessen; Red Notice by Bill Browder; The Less You Know, The Better You Sleep by Satter; The Godfather by Mario Puzo.” — via Tweet, March 2017
Red Notice
How I Became Putin's No. 1 Enemy
by Bill Browder · 2015 · Memoir
“Several books by Masha Gessen; Red Notice by Bill Browder; The Less You Know, The Better You Sleep by Satter; The Godfather by Mario Puzo.” — via Tweet, March 2017
A Very Expensive Poison
The definitive story of the murder of Litvinenko and Russia's war with the West
by Luke Harding · 2016 · True Crime
“Yes, from Luke Harding's excellent book "A Very Expensive Poison," which I recently recommended. To Trump!” — via Tweet, December 2017
Dvoretsky’s Endgame Manual
by Mark Dvoretsky · 2003 · Games
“An endgame book should be more about having well-structured reference for continuous study based on level. For some of my @masterclass examples I used the endgame book by Dvoretsky. More basic material in Lamprecht/Muller and Nunn.” — via Tweet, December 2017
The Reformer
How one liberal fought to preempt the Russian Revolution
by Stephen F. Williams · 2017 · Biography
“A very interesting book, and Vasily Maklakov definitely deserves to be remembered and considered today, when the idea of a liberal, modern Russia seems far-fetched.” — via Tweet, October 2018
All the King’s Men
by Robert Penn Warren · 1946 · Fiction
“Good article on the valuable lessons about the politics of resentment from a great book (and film), All the King's Men, one of my favorites, on its 75th anniversary.” — via Tweet, March 2021
Burn-In
A Novel of the Real Robotic Revolution
by P.W. Singer, August Cole · 2020 · Fiction
“A fun and insightful read. Sometimes you just want to read a book to enjoy, and other times you want to book to make you think. Every once in while you get to do both!” — via Tweet, May 2020
Red Famine
Stalin's War on Ukraine
by Anne Applebaum · 2017 · History
“It's a great book, and like mine on Putin it would be nice if people were reading it for history instead of current events!” — via Tweet, March 2022
