Grigory Yavlinsky is a Russian economist, leader of the opposition party Yabloko, and three times an unsuccessful presidential candidate, his latest attempt being in 2018. He is a fierce critic of Putin and his authoritarian regime and holds a gloomy and pessimistic view of Russia’s future without far-reaching economic reforms and a move away from Putin’s hold on power. He doesn’t seem to offer any real solutions in this analysis and critique of the current situation except, perhaps, to educate enough citizens so that they feel empowered to change the system and move to a free market economy. I doubt this book will be flying off the shelves in Russia – not least because it’s hardly a page-turner - but I felt encouraged that there is some sort of opposition in the country and an opposition that feels it can express its views. I’m not knowledgeable enough to judge whether Yavlinksy’s approach is a valid one but I did feel I understood a little more by the end of the book – and will be watching his progress through the complexities of the Russian political system with interest. An intelligent and thought-provoking book – if a rather dull one for the layman.