ePub Amistad: A Hidden Network of Slaves and Merchants by Michael Zeuske in History

Description

From nuclear superpower to impoverished nation; post-communist Russia has become one of the most corrupt regimes in the world. Paul Klebnikov pieces together the previous decade in Russian history; showing that a major piece of "the decline of Russia' puzzle lies in the meteoric business career of Boris Berezovsky. Transforming himself from a research scientist to Russia's most successful dealmaker; Berezovsky managed to seize control of Russia's largest auto manufacturer; largest TV network; national airline; and one of the world's biggest oil companies. When Moscow's gangster families battled one another in the Great Mob War of 1993-1994; Berezovsky was in the thick of it. He was badly burned by a car bomb and his driver was decapitated. A year later; Berezovsky emerged as the prime suspect in the assassination of the director of the TV network he acquired. Although plagued by scandal; he enjoyed President Yeltsin's support; serving as the personal financial "advisor" to both Yeltsin and his family. In 1996; Berezovsky organized the financing of Yeltsin's re-election campaign-a campaign marred by fraud; embezzlement; and attempted murder. Berezovsky became the President's most trusted political advisor-playing a key role in forming governments and dismissing prime ministers. Based on hundreds of taped interviews with top businessmen and government officials; secret police reports; contractual documents; and surveillance tapes; Godfather of the Kremlin is both a gripping story and a unique historical document.