Description: "If Vladimir Putin is indeed the great enemy of the United States, then at least we should try to understand him." --Oliver Stone
Brief description: Robert Scheer is an esteemed journalist and political writer whose columns appear in newspapers across the country. He is the author of eight books, including They Know Everything About You and The Great American Stickup.
Review Quotes: "Oliver Stone's unprecedented interviews with Vladimir Putin will be a revelation to anyone influenced by the mass media's years of demonizing Russia's leader. The discussions in this book range from the personal to the political, from Russia to America, from little-known episodes to today's international headlines. The Putin who emerges is deeply committed to Russia's national interests, but in ways that should make him America's essential national security partner--not, as is so often insisted, its 'No. 1 enemy.' Indeed, anyone concerned by the many crises afflicting our world today should seize this opportunity to hear directly from the most consequential national leader of the early twenty-first century." --Stephen F. Cohen, Professor Emeritus of Russian Studies & Politics, New York University and Princeton University
"A historic and immensely important series of interviews...The central query in the Stone-Putin interviews is how matters [between the US and Russia] devolved to the current state of tension, and thus they are compelling as a key text for understanding this dangerous time...a point of suspicion and hostility not witnessed since the end of the Cold War...A rare candid glimpse into the mind of the powerful, both the ruler and the artist." --From the Foreword by Robert Scheer, journalist and author of eight books, including They Know Everything About You "Oliver Stone's The Putin Interviews is a desperately-needed antidote to the anti-Russia hysteria gripping the US. When one takes the opportunity to spend time with Vladimir Putin through the interviews, one cannot help but see his humanity, intelligence, and complete lack of antipathy towards the US. Indeed, Putin constantly refers to the US as a 'partner, ' and, in a humorous twist, frequently chides Stone for being too critical of the United States. After reading this book, one will wonder why we cannot view Russia in turn as a partner and a friend, especially at a time when our country is so in need of both." --Daniel Kovalik, labor and human rights lawyer and the author of The Plot to Scapegoat Russia Praise for Oliver Stone: "An uncommonly eloquent and informed artist who doesn't back down from his opinions."--Miami Herald "Stone's work...does succeed in reorienting our perspective."--New York Times "[Oliver Stone has] seized the zeitgeist, drive then conversation, inspired controversy."--Variety "Remarkable."--Rotten Tomatoes "Rabid gifts as a filmmaker."--Rolling Stone