{"title":"Masha Gessen","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMasha Gessen\u003c\/strong\u003e offers incisive explorations of power, identity, and history through sharp political analysis and compelling storytelling. Their work spans essays, memoir, and biography, delving deeply into the complexities of contemporary autocracy and the resilience of dissent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eReaders will find a rich blend of cultural insight and historical perspective, illuminating urgent issues within \u003cem\u003ePolitics \u0026amp; Current Affairs\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eHistory \u0026amp; Military\u003c\/em\u003e. Gessen’s unmistakable voice challenges readers to reconsider the world around them with clarity and urgency.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"surviving-autocracy","title":"Surviving Autocracy","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eSurviving Autocracy\u003c\/i\u003e, Masha Gessen offers a powerful and insightful analysis of America's political landscape during the Trump presidency. Through a compelling narrative that draws from her own experiences growing up in the Soviet Union and her decades-long career covering authoritarian regimes in Russia, Gessen meticulously delineates the erosion of democratic norms in the United States. She constructs a cohesive narrative that interweaves the seemingly disconnected and chaotic policy decisions of the Trump administration, providing readers with a panoramic understanding of the broader implications for liberal democracy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis essential book looks beyond the daily barrage of news headlines to expose the underlying tactics and motivations driving the Trump administration. Gessen highlights the systematic attacks on the pillars of democracy, including the judiciary, the free press, and cultural norms, articulating how these assaults prevent the democratic system from functioning effectively. She asserts that the Trump era represents a concerted attempt to steer America towards autocracy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGessen’s analysis transcends mere reportage, offering a much-needed framework for interpreting and responding to the current political climate. By tracing the historical precedents from totalitarian regimes, Gessen provides context and depth, thereby enriching the reader's understanding of contemporary political dynamics. Her work underscores the urgency of developing political discourse that can counteract autocratic tendencies and restore democratic integrity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMore than just a critique, \u003ci\u003eSurviving Autocracy\u003c\/i\u003e is a manifesto for political renewal. Gessen advocates for a reinvention of political language to better articulate the threats posed by autocratic impulses. She calls for a media landscape that is more agile and honest, capable of holding power to account without succumbing to sensationalism or false equivalence. Furthermore, she envisions a moral politics that can inspire and mobilise citizens to resist authoritarianism and rebuild democratic institutions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith keen insight and perceptive analysis, Gessen offers readers not just an explanation of what has happened, but also a blueprint for what must be done to survive and overcome this autocratic threat. Her book is both a call to action and a crucial resource for anyone looking to understand the stakes of the current political moment and the pathways to safeguarding democracy for the future.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMasha Gessen's \u003ci\u003eSurviving Autocracy\u003c\/i\u003e stands as a vital text for our times, urging vigilance and proactive engagement in defending democratic values amidst unprecedented challenges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45706910957804,"sku":"9781783786787","price":27.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781783786787.jpg?v=1725893393"},{"product_id":"the-future-is-history","title":"The Future is History","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003ci\u003eThe Future is History\u003c\/i\u003e by Masha Gessen is a riveting exploration of modern Russia’s turbulent journey from the fall of the Soviet Union to its current iteration as a formidable, authoritarian state. Spanning several decades, the book meticulously chronicles the lives of four Russians, who were born during the collapse of the USSR, at a time brimming with hopes of democratic reform. \n\nEach of these individuals navigates their own unique path, imbued with dreams and aspirations. They are the children or grandchildren of those who helped shape the new Russia - entrepreneurs aiming to redefine their futures, activists striving for societal change, thinkers and writers wrestling with the nation's psyche, as well as individuals claiming their identities in terms of sexuality and social stature. \n\nGessen compellingly documents their intersecting journeys amidst the backdrop of a repressive regime that continuously seeks to throttle their voices through censorship, intimidation, and violence. This authoritarian grip, coupled with the state's relentless effort to suppress self-awareness and nostalgic reaffirmance of the infamous Soviet order, showcases the reinstatement of a monolithic power structure reminiscent of a mafia state.\n\nAs both a cultural and political narrative, \u003ci\u003eThe Future is History\u003c\/i\u003e skilfully intertwines personal stories with incisive political analysis. Gessen, celebrated for her fearless journalism, offers a piercing critique on contemporary Russia. Her narrative exposes the deep-seated corruption and the inexorable erosion of democratic principles, providing readers with a vivid and alarming vision of a society under siege.\n\nThis book is essential reading for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Russia’s sociopolitical landscape. It serves not just as a historical account, but also as a cautionary tale that underscores the fragile nature of freedom and democracy in the face of resurgent authoritarianism.\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45707113201900,"sku":"9781783784028","price":32.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781783784028.jpg?v=1725895914"},{"product_id":"the-man-without-a-face","title":"The Man Without a Face","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Man Without a Face\u003c\/em\u003e, written by the distinguished journalist and author Masha Gessen, delves deeply into the enigmatic rise of Vladimir Putin, a figure who emerged from relative obscurity to become one of the most powerful and controversial leaders of our time. The book offers a comprehensive and chilling portrait of Putin's ascent to the pinnacle of Russian politics, marked by a series of calculated moves and ruthless tactics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1999, Vladimir Putin was a low-ranking KGB officer with no significant public profile when he was suddenly propelled to power by a circle of influential oligarchs. What followed was a swift and brutal consolidation of authority that saw Putin dismantling the independent media, reclaiming economic control from the nascent business elite, and obliterating the fragile remnants of Russian democracy. Any and all opposition was systematically quashed: political adversaries were exiled, imprisoned, or even killed, and dissenting voices were effectively silenced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGessen's narrative is meticulously researched, drawing on sources and information accessed by no other writer. Through her incisive and fearless reporting, she traces Putin's journey from a scrappy, ambitious boy navigating the rough streets and schools of post-war Leningrad to a shadowy figure who expertly leveraged his KGB experience and political cunning to ascend to unparalleled power. As she unveils the layers of Putin's character and career, Gessen portrays a man who has mastered the art of subterfuge and manipulation, transforming himself into a leader with absolute – and absolutely corrupt – authority.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhat makes \u003cem\u003eThe Man Without a Face\u003c\/em\u003e particularly compelling is Gessen's ability to humanise the larger-than-life figure of Putin while uncovering the horrifying socio-political consequences of his reign. Her account is not just a biography but a critical analysis of modern Russian history, offering astounding insights into the nature of power and its ability to corrupt absolutely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor anyone seeking to understand the contemporary political landscape of Russia and the man who has shaped it so profoundly, \u003cem\u003eThe Man Without a Face\u003c\/em\u003e is an indispensable resource, melding incisive journalism with a gripping narrative to create a work of profound importance and urgency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45707189879020,"sku":"9781847084231","price":27.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781847084231.jpg?v=1725897008"},{"product_id":"words-will-break-cement-by-masha-gessen-9781847089342","title":"Words Will Break Cement","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn 21 February 2012, five members of an obscure feminist post-punk collective called Pussy Riot staged a performance in Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. Dressed in their trademark brightly coloured dresses and balaclavas, the women performed their song 'Punk Prayer - Mother of God, Chase Putin Away!' in front of the altar. The performance lasted only 40 seconds but it resulted in two-year prison sentences for three of the performers and has turned Pussy Riot into one of the most well-known and important protest movements of the last five years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eWords Will Break Cement\u003c\/i\u003e is a necessary and timely account of the Pussy Riot protest, the ensuing global support movement, and the tangled and controversial trial of the band members. It explores the status of dissent in Russia, the roots of the group and their adoption—or appropriation—by wider collectives, feminist groups, and music icons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMasha Gessen has unique access to the band and those closest to them. Her unrivalled understanding of the Russian protest movement makes her the ideal writer to document and explain the rage, the beauty, and the phenomenon that is Pussy Riot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46557209690348,"sku":"9781847089342","price":26.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/17620873482845.jpg?v=1750184571"},{"product_id":"two-babushkas-by-masha-gessen-9780747570806","title":"Two Babushkas","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMasha Gessen's last memory of Russia was the crowd of red-eyed relatives gathered at the airport in Moscow in 1981 to wave goodbye forever to her fourteen-year-old self, her brother and her parents. Unwilling to have their children grow up bearing the weight of the same anti-Semitism that they and their parents had, Masha's mother and father were emigrating to America. But Russia was Masha's home, and ten years later she returned to a changed country, and to her two grandmothers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith intelligence and humour, Masha Gessen unfolds the tale of these two women: both Eastern European Jews who lived through Polish and Russian anti-Semitism, the Second World War, the Holocaust, and the Stalin years and who bore unceasing intimidation and fear in very different ways but with similar courage, resourcefulness, and sheer chutzpah.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eTwo Babushkas\u003c\/em\u003e offers a deeply personal narrative, exploring themes of identity, resilience, and the enduring power of family ties against a backdrop of historical upheaval.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46846892703980,"sku":"9780747570806","price":32.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/d7a618e2c0c25fd056104323a1451512.jpg?v=1763112933"},{"product_id":"the-man-without-a-face-by-masha-gessen-9781803510491","title":"The Man Without a Face","description":"'A luminous study' Luke Harding, Guardian\u003cbr\u003e'Courageous and shocking' Katy Guest, Books of the Year, Independent on Sunday\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHow did a small-minded, low-level KGB operative come to control the world's largest country and, in an astonishingly short time, destroy years of progress, making Russia once more a threat to her own people and to the world?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMasha Gessen shows that when Vladimir Putin, an unimportant, low-level KGB operative, was rushed to power by a group of Oligarchs in 1999, he was a man without a history. Yet within a few brief years, he had dismantled Russia's media, wrested control and wealth from the country's burgeoning business class, and decimated the fragile mechanisms of democracy. Virtually every opposing voice was silenced, with political rivals and critics driven into exile or to the grave.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDrawing on information and sources no other writer has tapped, Masha Gessen's fearless account charts Putin's rise from the boy who had scrapped his way through post-war Leningrad schoolyards. Now the 'faceless' man who manoeuvred his way into absolute - and absolutely corrupt - power, has become a threat to the stability of the world, and this important book is more relevant than ever.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNow with a new preface by the author.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'A clear, brave book... Gessen offers intriguing details of the scratching, biting, hair-tearing, undersized, brawling boy Putin, refusing to be bullied in the grubby back yards of Leningrad' James Meek, Observer\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Gessen's engaging prose combines a native's passion with a mordant wit and caustic understatement that are characteristically Russian' AD Miller, Daily Telegraph","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47288944197868,"sku":"9781803510491","price":27.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/3119213482830.jpg?v=1770582061"},{"product_id":"the-best-american-essays-2026-by-masha-gessen-9780063454446","title":"The Best American Essays 2026","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe essayist needs the objective world, writes M. Gessen, the guest editor of \u003ci\u003eThe Best American Essays 2026\u003c\/i\u003e, asking, \u003cem\u003eBut does the objective world need the essayist?\u003c\/em\u003e There is no straightforward answer to Gessen’s query, yet the authors in this volume tackle it headfirst. In doing so, they provide a mosaic depicting the year 2025, examining the degradation of American media, human consciousness, queer identity, wealth disparity, illness, capital punishment, war, and art. The twenty authors featured here show us that the essay and its subjective nature make meaning of a world that is growing more incomprehensible with each day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Best American Essays 2026\u003c\/i\u003e includes: Hilton Als • Taffy Brodesser-Akner • Andrea Long Chu • Fernanda Eberstadt • Ben Lerner • Tatiana Schlossberg • Jennifer Senior • Jia Tolentino • Christian Wiman • and others\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67973390336236,"sku":"9780063454446","price":31.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780063454446-the-best-american-essays-2026-1.jpg?v=1793161125"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/masha-gessen.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}