UNCOVERED: Philip short | History Defined

The ambiguous legacy of François Mitterrand, France's transformational president

Three decades after his death, François Mitterrand remains a defining yet contested figure in French politics. His biographer tells RFI why Mitterand's ambiguous blend of ideology and power continues to shape political debates, both at home and abroad.

Radio France Internationale · Jan 8

Cradle to Kremlin: how Putin’s childhood casts a shadow

Ever since Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and with no end to the conflict in sight, many commentators have tried to explain what motivates the Russian president.

The Week · Jun 2, 2023

The Soviet spy films that inspired a young Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin grew up in "brute, almost Darwinian conditions". But his skills as a master manipulator would take him far.

ABC News · Mar 6, 2023

Zelensky: A Biography; Putin: His Life and Times reviews

Striking biographies by Serhii Rudenko and Philip Short pit Ukraine’s comic actor turned wartime hero against Russia’s pragmatic, inscrutable insider

The Guardian - UK · Jun 29, 2022