Phone Number
Phone Number
Checkout ()
Browse Store
Bookstore Cinema eBar
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Page Turners & Pot Boilers
    • Literary
    • Non-Fiction
  • Browse Sections
    • Adult Non-Fiction
    • Adult Fiction
  • Browse Kids & YA
    • All Kids
    • Young Adult
    • Ages 0-6
    • Ages 7-10
    • Ages 10-14
  • Wine
  • Hours & Contact Info
  • Consignment Policy
  • Cinema Tickets
Youth Can Change the World!

The March Against Fear: The Last Great Walk of the Civil Rights Movement and the Emergence of Black Power

By Ann Bausum

In the store

This is a great historical book about civil rights history, highlighted by photos of the movement. Recommended reading for ages 12+.

It's Your World: Get Informed, Get Inspired & Get Going!

By Chelsea Clinton

In the store

An exciting introduction to activism from an enthusiastic young voice!

Children's Book of Philosophy

By Dorling Kindersley

In the store

A bold, colourfully illustrated crash-course in big ideas for little people.

The Art of the Possible: An Everyday Guide to Politics

By Edward Keenan, Julie McLaughlin

In the store

A great book to get kids thinking about politics!!

Bookshelf twitter
Follow @bookshelfnews
@Sharonsmall56 @Peacebychoco @vortexmediainc @LloydLongfield @MikeSchreiner @CamGuthrie @reidschocolate… t.co/JPLxBtjsyB

RT @jeanmillswriter: WRITERLY EVENT! I’ll be talking #YA writing and publishing along with teen author @autumnbluestone & Robert Fleming… t.co/uRdYOOeZNN

@Sharonsmall56 We will be serving @Peacebychoco bars starting very soon! They are expediting them to us over the weekend!

@CamGuthrie Thanks Cam!

Life, Death, & Taxes
  • When Breath Becomes Air

    By Paul Kalanithi, Abraham Verghese

  • Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the...

    By Jane Mayer

  • That Used to be Us: How America Fell Behind in the World It Invented and How We...

    By Thomas Friedman, Michael Mandelbaum

  • Wages of Rebellion

    By Chris Hedges

  • The Reason You Walk

    By Wab Kinew

Happening in the eBar
Stay tuned for more ...
Politics & History

Will the Real Vladimir Putin Please Stand Up

Article By Barb Minett

Date: 13 Oct 2015

Share On

Related...

Putinism: Russia and Its Future with the West

It isn’t any secret that Stephen Harper loves to spew invective against Vladimir Putin. But after reading Putinism by Walter Laqueur, I am struck by how much these two have in common. The first, and probably most important, is that they have both maintained their political success by reigning during an era of high priced oil. This, of course, is changing and so may their popularity. They also both love monuments and memorials. This can be read as a metaphor for big power chauvinism. They are exceedingly private and do not have many close advisors. And there’s also something very similar about the eyes. Enough said.

Laqueur’s fascination with Russia is obvious. He has written over 20 books and does an excellent job of explaining the Russian psyche through its chaotic history. In fact, this constant chaos is a clue to why the average Russian does not mind strong rulers. Angered by the lack of respect after WW2, the glory of the motherland was a hole that needed to be filled. In a 2013 poll when asked what was more important: to be seen as a respected super power or to have a high standard of living, 56% preferred the super power agenda. The Sochi Olympics and the Crimean situation certainly fed this need and help explain Putin’s 90% approval rating.

To be clear, I am not a fan of Vladimir Putin. I mean the guy is purported to have $160 million dollars in wrist watches. But Putinism has helped me understand why an agent from the KGB is now running Russia. Laqueur also does an interesting job of forecasting Russia’s future. They have a big problem with demographics. A Russian demographer says that the population will halve in the next 50 years as the birth rate has fallen from 1.9 in the 60’s to a recent 1.6. Its future has been described as a space without people. One solution is immigration, but xenophobia runs pretty deep. And then there are so many other fractious and volatile relationships - China, the EU, the United States, all of the Central Asian republics. Laqueur illuminates all of this with little fanfare. There is much to be recommended in this book. I think I’m even going to order one of his older ones.

Go To Politics & History
  • The Bookshelf

    • 41 Quebec Street
      Guelph Ontario
      519.821.3311
  • Bookstore

    • Books, Magazines, Games & Gifts
    • Read Reviews & Interviews
    • Follow Columns & Articles
  • Cinema

    • Now Playing
    • Film Reviews
    • Cult Cinema
  • eBar

    • Dinner & A Movie
    • Live Music
    • DJ's & Dancing
    • Comedy & Burlesque
    • Special Events

A bookstore that shows movies • a cinema that serves dinner • a resto-bar that launches books