Patriot: A Memoir

4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars | 1,064 ratings

Price: 19.69

Last update: 12-22-2024


About this item

The powerful and moving memoir of a fearless political opposition leader who paid the ultimate price for his beliefs.

Alexei Navalny began writing Patriot shortly after his near-fatal poisoning in 2020. It is the full story of his life: his youth, his call to activism, his marriage and family, his commitment to challenging a world super-power determined to silence him, and his total conviction that change cannot be resisted—and will come.

In vivid, thrilling detail, including never-before-seen correspondence from prison, Navalny recounts, among other things, his political career, the many attempts on his life, and the lives of the people closest to him, and the relentless campaign he and his team waged against an increasingly dictatorial regime.

Written with the passion, wit, candor, and bravery for which he was justly acclaimed, Patriot is Navalny’s final letter to the world: a moving account of his last years spent in the most brutal prison on earth; a reminder of why the principles of individual freedom matter so deeply; and a rousing call to continue the work for which he sacrificed his life.

“This book is a testament not only to Alexei’s life, but to his unwavering commitment to the fight against dictatorship—a fight he gave everything for, including his life. Through its pages, readers will come to know the man I loved deeply—a man of profound integrity and unyielding courage. Sharing his story will not only honor his memory but also inspire others to stand up for what is right and to never lose sight of the values that truly matter."—Yulia Navalnaya


Top reviews from the United States

Charles Mccarroll
5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible, absolutely true purpose
Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2024
Stunning, heart rending and inspiring. I hope we all can keep his fight close in our hearts and help our fellow humans (Russians) in any way we can but mostly by understanding they are just as we are.
Sylvia Wadlington
5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular!
Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2024
Many of the things you read in this book will stay with you long after you finish it. What I keep remembering is Navalny saying to the gathering crowd as he’s being arrested and dragged away is, “Never be afraid”. This is a brave book and knowing that such a man existed among us is truly inspirational. This book is well written, easy to read and full of the day to day life lived by Russians doomed by the thieves who run their country.
When Putin is long forgotten, people will still whisper Navalny’s name when they are seeking courage against monsters.
Alina Paduraru
5.0 out of 5 stars A great politician, a great book!
Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2024
Alexei Navalny’s memoir is a compelling and courageous account of one man’s fight against an entrenched system of corruption, authoritarianism, and repression in modern Russia. Navalny, a prominent opposition leader and anti-corruption activist, offers readers an intimate look into his life, his political journey, and the personal sacrifices he has made in standing up to Vladimir Putin’s regime.
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Alina Paduraru
5.0 out of 5 stars A great politician, a great book!
Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2024
Alexei Navalny’s memoir is a compelling and courageous account of one man’s fight against an entrenched system of corruption, authoritarianism, and repression in modern Russia. Navalny, a prominent opposition leader and anti-corruption activist, offers readers an intimate look into his life, his political journey, and the personal sacrifices he has made in standing up to Vladimir Putin’s regime.
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Robert B. Lamm
5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary
Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2024
I thought this would be a powerful book about an amazing man who fought Putin and lost. It was. But it was so much more! It was witty, laugh-out-loud funny in spots, tragic in others, sophisticated and worldly, and intimate and so personal. Navalny seems to have been a polymath, talking quite comfortably about eating brunch at Balthazar in NYC, rock groups that even I’m not familiar with, great books that he’s read, and so much more. His sarcasm about the Russian penal system is biting and funny and so frustrating. HIs love for his wife and family - and what a beautiful family it was - is palpable. And so much more.

I was dazzled by this book in so many ways and suspect I will remember it for a very long time. It is an important book that people should read to realize how precious freedom is.
Mark
4.0 out of 5 stars Power and important
Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2024
This memoir is powerful, important, and flawed. I got a great sense of what it was like to be brought up in modern Russia in the first part of Navalny's memoir. I was very interested in that. His anti-corruption and anti[-Putin campaign and fight for freedom was powerful, as was his prison diary. I am so glad that I listened, and recommend this book. That said, this fell short of the great memoirs because I never felt that I got to know Navalny THE PERSON. I just got to know Navalny THE PATRIOT, and he was an inspiring patriot. The last quarter of this book is his prison diary, which was fascinating and a little boring at the same time. Knowing that he is killed at the end adds to the power of this memoir.
Kathleen A James
5.0 out of 5 stars Very insightful re: authoritarian governance
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2024
Easy to read, and very human. Navalny gives a clear picture of the downside of years of authoritarianism, including corruption and losing freedom of speech and factual information. Also, the cost of basic goods and services, which becoming increasingly harder to come by. A true cautionary tale, told by a brave patriot gone too soon, essentially murdered for truth-telling and loving his country.
SPA
5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read!
Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2024
What an amazing and important book. This is the story of murdered Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, written by him. It is translated seamlessly into English. You will laugh and you will cry. But most importantly, his story will shed light on the corruption Nalvany and his family exposed about the people who are in power in Russia. Navalany’s hard work, humor, bravery and sacrifice are apparent in every page of this book. It illustrates that we all have the power to change the world in which we live. This brave man and his family never gave up the fight for freedom, or hope. Sadly he paid the ultimate price for his efforts. What truly makes this story incredible is that their entire family knew that this would likely be the outcome. Yet they continued their fight. We must continue to do the same; not only to honor their sacrifices, but to work to ensure every person has freedom. Even in an oppressed nation like Russia. Thank you to the entire Navalny family. Your work and sacrifice will not be forgotten and will continue.
Green Acres
5.0 out of 5 stars Navalny is heroic.
Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2024
Fantastic lesson for American. This is what autocratic state do to heroes. Like the ending of Braveheart, Alexei is crying out "Freedom!"

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