{"title":"Books by Samir Puri","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"9781785907708","title":"Russia's Road to War with Ukraine","description":"When Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, many in the West were left stunned at his act of brutal imperialism. To those who had been paying attention, however, the warning signs of the bloodshed and slaughter to come had been there for years.   Tracing the relationship between the two countries from the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991 to Putin's invasion in 2022, what emerges from this gripping and accessible book is a portrait of a nation caught in a geopolitical tug of war between Russia and the West. While Russia is identified as the sole aggressor, we see how Western bodies such as the EU and NATO unrealistically raised Ukraine's expectations of membership before dashing them, leaving Ukraine without formal allies and fatally exposed to Russian aggression.   As a former international observer, Samir Puri was present for several of the major events covered in this book. He uses this experience to ask honestly: how did we get here? Why does Vladimir Putin view Ukraine as the natural property of Russia? Did the West handle its dealings with these countries prudently? Or did it inflame the tensions left amidst the ruins of the Soviet Union? Were there any missed opportunities to avert the war? And how might this conflict end?","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43205079138482,"sku":"9781785907708","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781785907708_fb049b0d-48fb-49b0-b73d-4b5cabd9f2fb.jpg?v=1786025443"},{"product_id":"9781786498335","title":"The Great Imperial Hangover","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'An exceptional account.' \u003ci\u003eProspect\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Enlightening.' \u003ci\u003eSpectator\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor the first time in millennia we live without formal empires. But that doesn't mean we don't feel their presence rumbling through history. \u003ci\u003eThe Great Imperial Hangover\u003c\/i\u003e examines how the world's imperial legacies are still shaping the thorniest issues we face today. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFrom Russia's incursions in the Ukraine to Brexit; from Trump's 'America-first' policy to China's forays into Africa; from Modi's India to the hotbed of the Middle East, Puri provides a bold new framework for understanding the world's complex rivalries and politics. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOrganised by region, and covering vital topics such as security, foreign policy, national politics and commerce, \u003ci\u003eThe Great Imperial Hangover \u003c\/i\u003ecombines gripping history and astute analysis to explain why the history of empire affects us all in profound ways.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43205464916146,"sku":"9781786498335","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781786498335_21fc4581-f100-4bae-ab44-de4d54496ff2.jpg?v=1786025354"},{"product_id":"9781399722636","title":"Westlessness","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe must-read book to help you make sense of the world: perfect for fans of \u003ci\u003ePrisoners of Geography, How the World Made the West\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eEmpireland\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e 'Well-informed and very valuable' - \u003ci\u003eInternational Affairs\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDonald Trump has been re-elected. The Russia-Ukraine war has entered its fourth year. China's economy is slowing down. Far-right parties and politicians are surging in popularity across Europe.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eWestlessness\u003c\/i\u003e by former UK diplomat Dr Samir Puri is here to help make sense of these continual, seismic shifts to the world order. In this book, he vividly demonstrates how in demographic, economic, military and cultural terms, we are hurtling towards a far more diverse global future. Many of our certainties about the present, built on centuries of massive Western global impact, are increasingly fragile. Untold wealth is moving from the West to the East, as nations like India and Indonesia are set to reach new heights of growth and confidence. And China continues its ascent to the peak of the economic mountain - but are cracks appearing? And will the Western world, under the aegis of US global military, economic, technological and cultural power, give up its privileged position willingly?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNothing is linear and nothing is predictable. Are we prepared, personally and professionally, for a far more diverse global future?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e Prepared or unprepared, \u003ci\u003eWestlessness\u003c\/i\u003e is our guide to a new world order. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat readers think:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Insightful and thought-provoking. \u003cb\u003eHighly recommended.\u003c\/b\u003e' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  \u003cbr\u003e'Loved this book - a real insight into how the world is changing and gives an interesting glimpse into the future. \u003cb\u003eA great read and would definitely recommend!\u003c\/b\u003e' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐\u003cbr\u003e'A fascinating book written empathetically that deals with the shifting nature of power (im)balances in the world until now full of sober projections into the future. Westlessness does not take sides, is not alarmist, and is not emotional in any way - yet it deals with the complexity of feelings aroused over issues of identity (both Western and otherwise) and colonial legacy. A \u003cb\u003emust read\u003c\/b\u003e to understand the often bewildering world we now live in, written as a scholarly book in an accessible tone. ' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44581362499762,"sku":"9781399722636","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781399722636_8bb7c219-97f2-4590-8b84-9017b5e4c4e0.jpg?v=1786019539"}],"url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/collections\/author-samir-puri.oembed","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}