The Wild Tale of the Rise of Vladimir Putin

When you hear Vladimir Putin's name in the news, you may wonder: where did he come from? How did he get here? And why is he so powerful? A little background on Russia's history helps answer these questions and explain why authoritarianism hasn't yet gone out of style. It's a tale of complicated leaders, economic collapse, political corruption, and a promise to make Russia a superpower once again, no matter what it takes.

Celebrated Virginia Tech Senior Lecturer John Boyer illuminates this story and helps us better understand where we've been, and where we might be going.