Read Online The Vory Russia Super Mafia Mark Galeotti 9780300243208 Books
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The first English-language book to document the men who emerged from the gulags to become Russia’s much-feared crime class the vory v zakone
Mark Galeotti is the go-to expert on organized crime in Russia, consulted by governments and police around the world. Now, Western readers can explore the fascinating history of the vory v zakone, a group that has survived and thrived amid the changes brought on by Stalinism, the Cold War, the Afghan War, and the end of the Soviet experiment.
The vory—as the Russian mafia is also known—was born early in the twentieth century, largely in the Gulags and criminal camps, where they developed their unique culture. Identified by their signature tattoos, members abided by the thieves’ code, a strict system that forbade all paid employment and cooperation with law enforcement and the state. Based on two decades of on-the-ground research, Galeotti’s captivating study details the vory’s journey to power from their early days to their adaptation to modern-day Russia’s free-wheeling oligarchy and global opportunities beyond.
Mark Galeotti is the go-to expert on organized crime in Russia, consulted by governments and police around the world. Now, Western readers can explore the fascinating history of the vory v zakone, a group that has survived and thrived amid the changes brought on by Stalinism, the Cold War, the Afghan War, and the end of the Soviet experiment.
The vory—as the Russian mafia is also known—was born early in the twentieth century, largely in the Gulags and criminal camps, where they developed their unique culture. Identified by their signature tattoos, members abided by the thieves’ code, a strict system that forbade all paid employment and cooperation with law enforcement and the state. Based on two decades of on-the-ground research, Galeotti’s captivating study details the vory’s journey to power from their early days to their adaptation to modern-day Russia’s free-wheeling oligarchy and global opportunities beyond.
Read Online The Vory Russia Super Mafia Mark Galeotti 9780300243208 Books
"If you're a post middle-aged man with a fledgling intellect who gets giddy of every time the words 'Soviet' and 'corruption' appear in the same sentence, then this book may be for you. It reads like a rushed together 5th Grade book report. It's very redundant. Not a lot of information you couldn't find via a cursory Google search.
This is an example of the publisher trying to take advantage of all the current hype around Russia by putting out a sub-standard 'beach read' with a title that sounds exciting, attempting to appeal to grown men who've taken to reverting to adolescent male fantasies during the twilight of their own efficacy.
The author clearly has an ax to grind with the Soviets, which comes through in his writing. I personally wasn't looking for a commentary on the Soviet economic system by some pulp writer, but rather a detailed history of organized crime, which I did not receive.
I would pass on this book. If you really want to read about 'The Thieves' you might as well read the relevant chapters from Gulag Archipelago."
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Tags : The Vory Russia's Super Mafia [Mark Galeotti] on . <DIV><B>The first English-language book to document the men who emerged from the gulags to become Russia’s much-feared crime class the <I>vory v zakone</I></B><BR /><BR /> Mark Galeotti is the go-to expert on organized crime in Russia,Mark Galeotti,The Vory Russia's Super Mafia,Yale University Press,0300243200,General Adult,HISTORY / Modern / 20th Century,HISTORY / Russia the Former Soviet Union,History,History/Modern - 20th Century,History/World,Non-Fiction,ORGANIZED CRIME,RUSSIA - HISTORY,Russia,SOCIAL SCIENCE / Criminology,Social Science/Criminology,True Crime/Organized Crime,UNIVERSITY PRESS,mafia; mob; stalin; prison; gulag; siberia; power; soviet union; glasnost; tattoo; gang; crime; punishment; conviction; putin; illegal; politics; charity; organized crime; autocracy; eastern promises; russia; former soviet union; vory v zakone; cosa nostra; theives' code; no cooperation; anti-government; law enforcement; violent; extreme brutality; criminal network; true crime; criminal class; moscow; russian prison gang; political involvement; autocratic rule,mafia;mob;stalin;prison;gulag;siberia;power;soviet union;glasnost;tattoo;gang;crime;punishment;conviction;putin;illegal;politics;charity;organized crime;autocracy;eastern promises;russia;former soviet union;vory v zakone;cosa nostra;theives' code;no cooperation;anti-government;law enforcement;violent;extreme brutality;criminal network;true crime;criminal class;moscow;russian prison gang;political involvement;autocratic rule,HISTORY / Modern / 20th Century,HISTORY / Russia the Former Soviet Union,History/Modern - 20th Century,SOCIAL SCIENCE / Criminology,Social Science/Criminology,True Crime/Organized Crime
The Vory Russia Super Mafia Mark Galeotti 9780300243208 Books Reviews :
The Vory Russia Super Mafia Mark Galeotti 9780300243208 Books Reviews
- This is a very fast read. My main complaint is that it reads like a 272 page Wikipedia article; you get information but there is no structure, narrative or original research. It starts with a history or crime in Russia and progresses forward explaining how the criminal gangs adapted to the structure of Russia/Soviet Union at the time. I came away with the impression that it is inevitable that Russia became a criminal state, but also feeling the thesis might be a bit too simplistic. It would have been interesting to at least interview some Russians and get their perspective or to provide some current events. Instead there are lots of generalizations repeated over and over as if to pad the book. So I'd say this was okay to get some background information but not the academic or insightful work I hoped for.
- Good read but nothing new if one is familiar with modern Russia. For those new to the autocratic, oligopoly that is Putin’s Russia then an excellent overview of how the state and organized crime are in essence two faces of the same coin.
- If you're a post middle-aged man with a fledgling intellect who gets giddy of every time the words 'Soviet' and 'corruption' appear in the same sentence, then this book may be for you. It reads like a rushed together 5th Grade book report. It's very redundant. Not a lot of information you couldn't find via a cursory Google search.
This is an example of the publisher trying to take advantage of all the current hype around Russia by putting out a sub-standard 'beach read' with a title that sounds exciting, attempting to appeal to grown men who've taken to reverting to adolescent male fantasies during the twilight of their own efficacy.
The author clearly has an ax to grind with the Soviets, which comes through in his writing. I personally wasn't looking for a commentary on the Soviet economic system by some pulp writer, but rather a detailed history of organized crime, which I did not receive.
I would pass on this book. If you really want to read about 'The Thieves' you might as well read the relevant chapters from Gulag Archipelago. - This is a magisterial book into the criminal aspects of Russian society. Crucial insights also into how criminality has seeped into the state. Makes one reflect about the similarities and differences between the state and a protection racket.
- Mark Galeotti's account on development of Russian organised crime stems from deep knowledge of both Russian history and culture. His breathtaking ride from past wild peasantry beginnings to today's white collar criminals is well versed in primary sources and numerous interviews with people on both sides of the law. Highly recommended read for students' of Russia and 21st Century crime.
- Great read. Interesting and informative. For those russophiles looking to get more knowledge on the Russian criminal underworld this is def a must read
- I got into Russian Crime and the Vory because of a criminal defense engagement. Lots of interesting history and information here, and it enabled me to hold my own in the court room.
- With the current headlines this is a fascinating subject. Also, I learned lots of Russian words. Вор, воры, Ð¿Ð¾Ð½Ð¸Ð¼Ð°Ñ etc.
