Overview
The incendiary history of Russia’s fossil fuel empire, revealing how energy has been the Kremlin’s most critical lifeline and most potent weapon
The Kremlin lost the Cold War and yet within just a few years Russia recovered to become a formidable global force once again. This comeback would have been unthinkable without oil and gas. After all, energy had always been the linchpin of Soviet empire-building.
Power Play tells the story of how energy became a key to Russia’s success on the world stage. From the early days of the Cold War, energy permitted Soviets to bribe adversaries and keep allies docile. Once the Soviet economic model began showing signs of malaise, energy helped keep the USSR alive. It powered great factories that employed Soviet workers and warmed Soviet citizens in the depth of winter. It was sold for desperately needed hard currency that plugged holes in the Soviet budget. And, after the Soviet Union’s collapse, it provided a lifeline that allowed Russia to bounce back to global relevance. Throughout, the Kremlin used energy for political leverage, but it was Vladimir Putin who became the real master of the game.
Dramatically reframing Soviet and post-Soviet history into a new, cohesive narrative, Power Play shows how Russia weaponized energy for imperial ends, and how the weapon misfired on Russia itself.
While major retailers like Amazon may carry Power Play (The Ruthless Rise and Perilous Future of Russia's Energy Empire), we specialize in bulk book sales and offer personalized service from our friendly, book-smart team based in Portland, Oregon. We’re proud to offer a Price Match Guarantee and a streamlined ordering experience from people who truly care.
We’re trusted by over 75,000 customers, many of whom return time and again. Want proof? Just check out our 25,000+ customer reviews—real feedback from people who love how we do business.
Prefer to talk to a real person? Our Book Specialists are here Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST and ready to help with your bulk order of Power Play (The Ruthless Rise and Perilous Future of Russia's Energy Empire).