Money, Murder and Modern Russia.
Once Upon a Time in Russia is a fun, face paced tale of the rise and fall of Oligarch and mathematician Boris Berezovsky in the post Soviet world of modern Russia. It tells the story of how following the collapse of the USSR these new men made unimaginable amounts of money as industry, business and media was allowed to be privatised by the state. Built on this was power and politics which these Oligarchs delved into completion to control. The result was death, violence and ostracism. The book also explores Berezovsky’s relationship with Roman Abramovich and Vladimir Putin in the backdrop of the murky world of 21st Century Russia.
Ben Mezrich’s book reads more like a novel than a historical study and Mezrich takes artistic licence when filling in the gaps around what happened in certain events or what went through the minds of those who are no longer here. To the serious student this may be frustrating to others this isn’t so offensive.
I found the book fascinating and shows that from Genghis Khan, Ivan the Terrible, The Troubles, The Revolution and Joseph Stalin the legacy of violence, intrigue and betrayal lives on in this Wild East. 288 This book is a real page-turner, written with the breathless feel of a political thriller. It could also be viewed as a cautionary tale about completely unfettered capitalism. The Russian oligarchs, who rose in the 1990s after communism in the old Soviet Union fell apart, are profiled in their ruthless grab for money and power as state-held businesses were privatized. These were smart, unprincipled men who made billions, but who had to employ bodyguards in order to go about their daily lives. The focus of the book is on Boris Berezovsky, whose first venture was a car reselling business, but who really began to rise in power after he purchased ORT, the chief Russian TV station. He became a sort of president maker by controlling this media outlet. It all worked quite well while he kept Yeltsin in power, but when Yeltsin unexpectedly stepped down six months before his term would end and Berezovsky helped replace him with Vladamir Putin, Berezovsky's world fell apart. Berezovsky had seriously underestimated Putin, who sought to decouple business ventures from the political control the oligarchs had previously wielded. Berezovsky ended up exiled when his media efforts to break Putin's control failed. This book includes exploding cars, stealthy assassinations, business deals conducted on yachts and in dachas, political opponents tracked down and poisoned (remember the Polonium poisoning of Litvinenko?), and unimaginable wealth held by a few while the majority of Russians were barely able to get by. It reads like a novel, but it's all true. You will watch Vladimir Putin with renewed interest after reading of his rise. This is a quick read well worth your time. 288 A stranger than fiction tale of the oligarchs that took control of an unbelievable amount of Russia's GDP as it transitioned to capitalism. Mezrich does a poor job of telling the story, primarily concerned with Boris Berezovsky, somehow managing to deflate this incredible tale. 288 A meticulously researched and totally compelling account of Russian oligarchs spoilt by an unnecessarily fiction-like approach. The subject matter itself is fascinating, and clearly and succinctly related. I learnt a great deal and gained a much more complete understanding of what happened in the newly capitalist Russia by the end of the book. Mezrich concentrates on Berezovsky and Abramovich but many other characters populate the narrative giving a rounded view of how these oligarchs achieved their wealth and how Putin dealt with them when he came to power. However, Mezrich’s approach is to turn what is otherwise an excellent account into a sort of true-life novel and I found that very irritating indeed. Re-created dialogue and the use of vignettes rather than sustained narrative give a rather glib and superficial feel to the book. Certainly it perhaps makes the material more accessible but it also has the considerable disadvantage that many “facts” are imagined and in a situation when the facts need to be verifiable the approach detracts from our confidence in the author. Nevertheless, this is an important and immensely readable account of the rise of the oligarchs and if the language descends into cliché at times, fortunately Mezrich’s mastery of pacing goes a long way towards compensating for this. 288 “Once Upon a Time in Russia” by Ben Mezrich, published by Atria Books.
Category – History/Russia Publication Date – June 02, 2015
If you are looking for an eye opener about the fall of communism and the rise of “democracy/capitalism” in Russia, this is about as good as you will get.
This true story revolves around the life of Boris Berezovsky who worked his way up from a car salesman to one of the richest men in Russia and maybe the world. He made his fortune by backing the right man (Boris Yeltsin) and making astute business maneuvers when state owned businesses became privatized. He also became friends with Roman Abramovich who became just as wealthy when he took over the oil and aluminum industries. Berezovsky cemented his relationship with Yeltsin by insuring that he would remain President of Russia, thereby exacting favors and security from the government.
Berezovsky, who helped Abramovich, was able to; in exchange for his services receive 491 million dollars in just one year. This allowed him to purchase several luxuriant houses, a plane, a yacht, priceless paintings, and just about anything else he wanted. Unfortunately, his ego and desire for power got into the way of being smart. He chose to challenge Vladimir Putin. Putin who was basically a nobody became head of the KGB and with Berezovsky’s help made his way to the President of Russia on Yeltsin’s resignation.
Berezovsky and Putin did not see eye to eye, each wanting to bring the other down. Their rivalry left a wake of dead bodies, least of which was the supposed suicide of Berezovsky.
An excellent read that will have one shaking their heads at the immense wealth, corruption, and political machinations that still form the Russian version of “democracy/capitalism”.
288
A gripping and shocking insight into the lives of Russia’s most famous oligarchs from New York Times bestselling author of The Accidental Billionaires and Bringing Down the House.
Once Upon a Time in Russia is the untold true story of the larger-than-life billionaire oligarchs who surfed the waves of privatization to reap riches after the fall of the Soviet regime: “Godfather of the Kremlin” Boris Berezovsky, a former mathematician whose first entrepreneurial venture was running an automobile reselling business, and Roman Abramovich, his dashing young protégé who built a multi-billion-dollar empire of oil and aluminium. Locked in a complex, uniquely Russian partnership, Berezovsky and Abramovich battled their way through the “Wild East” of Russia with Berezovsky acting as the younger man’s krysha- literally, his roof, his protector.
Written with the heart-stopping pacing of a thriller -but even more compelling because it is true - this story of amassing obscene wealth and power depicts a rarefied world seldom seen up close. Under Berezovsky’s krysha, Abramovich built one of Russia’s largest oil companies from the ground up and in exchange made cash deliveries - including 491 million dollars in just one year. But their relationship frayed when Berezovsky attacked President Vladimir Putin in the media - and had to flee to the UK. Abramovich continued to prosper.
Dead bodies trailed Berezovsky’s footsteps, and threats followed him to London, where an associate of his died painfully and famously of Polonium poisoning. Then Berezovsky himself was later found dead, declared a suicide.
Exclusively sourced, capturing a momentous period in recent world history, Once Upon a Time in Russia is at once personal and political, offering an unprecedented look into the wealth, corruption, and power behind what Graydon Carter called ‘the story of our age’.
3 ½ stars. Once Upon a Time in Russian is scary and fascinating – and at times a bit tedious. The author has compiled information about a number of oligarchs in post-soviet Russia, and their role and tactics in shaping Russian politics from the mid 1990s to 2000 during the Yelstin presidency. By the second half of the book, Putin ascends to the presidency and -- while he is not painted as a heroic figure – he is shown as wrestling some power out of the hands of the oligarchs – essentially to assert his place and control. It is a book about power struggles, greed, ruthlessness, corruption and violence and it does not paint a very flattering picture of Russian contemporary politics. The tedious aspect of the book? At times it reads almost like a mechanical desensitized recounting of killings, betrayals and petty battles with huge consequences. There is a bit of a disconnect between the gravity of the information conveyed and manner in which it is told – factual, dead pan, with little analysis about what this all means for the world and for the ordinary people who have lived under these regimes. I suppose it’s Mezrich’s chosen approach – the information should speak for itself – but at times I found my interest waning as I skimmed over the long list of long Russian names and all of the bad things these men – yes they are all men – have been up to. But mostly, it made me want to know and understand more – so that’s a good thing and a worthy endorsement of Mezrich’s book. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an opportunity to read this book. 288
This is the True Story of The Rise of the Russian Oligarchs. These are their actual images and their properties.
What an Amazing tale of wealth and murder as communism comes to an end in Russia. A handful of men were savvy enough to jump on this privatization of previously state owned businesses. These few men rose to obscene wealth by purchasing companies for millions that were valued at billions within years of purchase.
Boris Berezovsky
Boris rose through the ranks by first purchasing a car company. He then purchased the LogoVaz club and started dabbling in politics. After purchasing 49% of ORT, a major russian television station, he started using his power to influence the television broadcasts to make Vladimir Putin look incompetent. Instead of making Putin look incompetent, he made an enemy of a man with serious power. Boris was later forced to sell his shares in ORT, and fled into exile to escape prosecution from the Russian government.
Boris' Yact, Radiant, worth $320 Million
Radiant was seized from it's port in France by Russian officials. Just one of many financial losses that Boris experienced at the hands of the Russian government while in exile.
Boris mocking President Putin in an interview
Exile didn't stop Boris from doing everything in his power to cause trouble for President Putin. His obsession became his downfall, as he waisted multi millions on efforts to undermine President Putin. He only succeeds in making himself look foolish and ending in financial ruin. He eventually committed suicide while in exile.
Roman Abramovich
Roman was Boris' protégé. Roman played the game better than Boris by staying out of the spotlight and refraining from making political enemies. Most importantly, he didn't piss off President Vladimir Putin. Roman Abramovich became a mega oligarch worth over 13 billion. He owns three yachts but his Eclipse is worth one billion.
Eclipse, worth $1 billion
President Vladimir Putin
Putin moved up the ranks with a quiet power. None of the Oligarchs saw him coming and were all caught off guard when President Boris Yeltsin retired in the middle of his presidency in December of 1999, only to name Putin as acting president. Vladimir Putin then won the upcoming election with ease. He immediately put a stop to Oligarchs interfering in politics. He felt that the state and capitalism should be separate.
Alexander Litvinenko
Alexander Litvinenko was Boris' friend/bodyguard that was also exiled to the UK. Prior to being exiled, he was considered a whistle blower, telling secrets about Russia and the FSB. Once in the UK, he continued to trade secrets and information with ex-FSB agents that had also been exiled.
Alexander on his deathbed after being poisoned
Alexander was assassinated with chemical warfare, Polonium. Polonium-210 is rare, expensive, and practically impossible to obtain. There are theories the polonium was a lethal calling card. It was placed in Litvinenko's food or drink, and he died a slow, painful death. It sent the message to Boris Berezovsky that they could get to him at anytime.
Mikhail Khodorkovsky
Mikhail Khodorkovsky had the opportunity to go into exile, but he refused. He was jailed and his companies and billions were taken away. Mikhail was naive to the power that Putin wielded.
Badri Patarkatsishvili
Badri Patarkatsishvili had an estimated wealth of twelve billion, and was the wealthiest Georgian. Badri and Boris were best friends. When Badri died in 2008, his best friend, Boris, sued his widow for 50 % of his estate. With friends like that, who needs enemies?
Wow!! This book was beyond interesting! I totally enjoyed the political history lesson, mixed with the obscene wealth of the Oligarchs. It's one thing to hear about and see these men on television, with their yachts and mansions. It's even more interesting to read up on how they obtained their wealth. 288 The fall of the USSR led to a rush to capitalise on the new state system as it rapidly became privatised. One such man, Boris Berezovsky, a former mathematician, became a billionaire buying state television on top of his car empire. He used the media to get Boris Yeltsin re-elected, giving him political leverage in the process. He took on an eager young protégé, Roman Abramovich, and together became even richer by controlling Russia’s oil and aluminium markets. They were part of a small group called oligarchs, business magnates of enormous wealth, who also had political power. And they were responsible for giving the world the ruthless Vladimir Putin, a man they made president, believing they could control him and discovered too late that they couldn’t.
Ben Mezrich’s book tells the interesting true story of the rise and fall of Berezovsky which in turn highlights the corrupt nature of Russian business and politics. Berezovsky was smart enough to make a fortune off of the new opportunities in Russia after it shook off decades of communist rule, but how he acquired and kept it is almost like reading The Godfather! Assassinations, small armies of balaclava-wearing, gun-wielding thugs, massive bribes, car bombings, street executions and intimidation seems to be de rigueur for how Russian business is conducted!
Mezrich explains the concept of “krysha” (roof, or protector), an almost medieval-type system of political patrimony, ie. you only get ahead if you have someone looking out for you. Such was the relationship between Berezovsky and Abramovich as Berezovsky became Abramovich’s krysha, ensuring the young man’s rise through his political connections, while pocketing vast sums of cash (allegedly on one occasion nearly half a billion dollars in a year!), all delivered from Abramovich in stuffed suitcases.
It’s a fascinating story particularly as Berezovsky’s out-of-control ego, that took him so far, became his downfall. Angry that Putin was elected by the oligarchs whom he then turned on once he was in office, Berezovsky used the Kursk incident in August 2000 to take multiple shots at Putin via his media empire. This in turn would lead to Berezovsky having to flee Russia for exile in the UK, an almost Bond-villain-style assassination of his employee, ex-FSB agent Alexander Litvinenko in 2006 (Polonium poisoning!), and Berezovsky’s supposed suicide in 2013.
While it is eye-opening stuff – made all the more incredible by being real-life – I really disliked Mezrich’s thriller-style approach. This is a non-fiction book that reads like fiction. For example, during the chapter on the Barents Sea disaster in August 2000, Mezrich takes the perspective of Lieutenant Captain Dmitri Kolesnikov aboard the nuclear submarine, the Kursk, closing out the chapter by describing Kolesnikov’s actions:
“The last thing he did, before he closed his eyes, was whisper, one last time. “
Um… how did Mezrich know that this was the last thing he did? How did he know Kolesnikov didn’t go out screaming as he drowned? He wasn’t there and Kolesnikov didn’t survive – all hands went down with the sub – so how does he know? Later on he writes:
“Boris crouched low in the backseat of the armored limousine, his face inches from the bulletproof side window, to stare up at the gunmetal canopy of clouds. He couldn’t be sure how long the car had been parked in that spot; he had spent the first few minutes simply gazing at the crown of mountains that surrounded them, his thoughts lost in the swirl of snow that seemed to be blowing through the heliport from every conceivable angle.”
How does he know “Boris crouched low” to look up at the clouds? How does he know he spent the “first few minutes” looking at the mountains? How does he know “his thoughts were lost in the swirl of snow”?
Another example, this time the fatal meeting between Litvinenko and a colleague:
“’If you came to London to warn me about my former agency’ Litvinenko said, stabbing at the piece of sushi on the table in front of him with a chopstick, ‘you could’ve put it in a postcard’.”
How does Mezrich know Litvinenko said these exact words while “stabbing at the piece of sushi on the table”?
In non-fiction, you just can’t make these suppositions – you can’t take real people and turn them into characters in a novel. It’s easier to read but it’s wholly inappropriate, disrespectful and false. Mezrich’s choice to do this (and while I quoted a few sections, he writes this way for the entire book) not only took me out of the history but it annoyed me that the author was taking so many liberties with his material.
The writing style and the short length makes for a quick read though it does feel like Mezrich doesn’t delve very deeply into his subjects. We get a surface-level understanding of everything and that’s basically it. It feels like it’s designed to appeal to the largest possible audience by presenting itself as an exciting, fast-moving thriller rather than attempting to be a definitive, in-depth and serious work on the subject.
Once Upon a Time in Russia provides a compelling look at the life of Boris Berezovsky and an overview of the Russian business world but Mezrich’s cavalier approach to non-fiction cheapens its impact. Truth is stranger than fiction but truth should never take the form of fiction. 288 Once upon a time in Russia, the fall of the USSR led to the privatization of previously state-owned businesses and created a class of oligarchs known for the largest and fastest accumulation of wealth in modern history. Then a man named Putin came in to power and declared war on the oligarchs.
This story is really about the rise (and fall) of one oligarch in particular - Boris Berezovsky. Berezovsky joined the oligarch class as a result of his adeptness of seeing opportunities and capitalizing on them. He's an interesting guy but is burdened with a very large ego and is arguably somewhat delusional. These traits led to his downfall as he tried to fight Putin, and he's ultimately left in financial (and mental) ruin.
I don’t know if I would consider the pacing of this book to be worthy of the thriller classification as its marketed, but there was a lot of ambition, wealth, betrayal and murder as the title promises. However, the bigger question of how to classify this book is whether or not its purely non-fiction as I often wondered how many liberties the author was taking to re-create certain events. He states in the author's note that he employs the technique of re-created dialogue and I have no doubt that the book is based on hours of research and interviews and court documents. However, there were a number of instances where the recreation felt like it was crossing the line to fiction and the real people became characters. I read non-fiction to learn about actual events and to educate myself on new topics, but this book makes me want to get a second opinion to corroborate some of the information before I feel comfortable sharing what I learned from this book with others.
It's still a quick and interesting read if you like stories about insanely wealthy, egomaniacal men trying to take advantage of a crisis and fighting dirty to remain in power (these stories are fun for me, hence the three stars). But it's a good, not great, book, and the previously raised question marks about fact versus fiction prevent me from recommending it beyond that. 288 This book tells the stories of how the oligarchs rose to power in Russia following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the privatization of industry. There are several main figures who we meet and follow - very rich men who used their wealth and status to ensure victory for Boris Yeltsin over the communist challenger in 1996, knowing that their existence as a class was at risk if the communist system returned. Little did they know, Yeltsin's successor Vladimir Putin would make that a goal once he was handed the reigns.
This is a really well-written book. However - I can't pinpoint why, but halfway through the book I lost interest and getting through the rest was a struggle. Because of that, I'm giving this one three stars, but I would certainly still recommend it, especially to anyone who liked the absurdity of The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine. 288
