Martin McCauley is a world expert on Russian affairs, frequently commenting for television and the media. His many books include The Soviet Union, 1917-1991.

`Martin McCauley is one of the few authorities writing in English who understands the shocking scale and range of the cancer of post-Soviet crime. His book is both important and frightening.’ John Simpson, World Affairs Editor, BBC

• List of Maps, Figure and Tables, Preface, , Map 1: The Russian Federation, Chapter 1 How and Why Did It Happen?, Chapter 2 Brilliant Tactical but Disastrous Strategic Policies: the Gorbachev Era, Chapter 3 Tsar Boris the Bruiser: the First Presidency, 1991-96, Chapter 4 Tsar Boris the Boozer: the Second Presidency, 1996-99, Chapter 5 The Tsar's Court: The Presidential Administration, the Security Council and the Government, Chapter 6 Colonels and Spies: Defence, Internal Affairs and the Security Forces, Chapter 7 Moscow Does Not Rule, OK? Federalism and the Regions , Chapter 8 Bandit Capitalism, Chapter 9 Agriculture: the Peasants Stay Poor, Chapter 10 A Society in Crisis, Chapter 11 Foreign Policy: Will the Empire Strike Back? , Chapter 12 Success Not Failure: the Baltic States, Chapter 13 Will the Imams Return? the Commonwealth of Independent States , Epilogue: The Spy Who Took Over Russia: Vladimir Putin, Bibliography, Index