Once Upon a Time in Russia: The Rise of the Oligarchs and the Greatest Wealth in History traces the dramatic ascent of Russia’s billionaire power brokers in the turbulent years after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Set against the backdrop of rapid privatization, it follows how a few men turned state assets into staggering personal fortunes.
At the centre of the narrative are Boris Berezovsky, a brilliant former mathematician dubbed the “Godfather of the Kremlin”, and his younger protégé Roman Abramovich. Together they navigate the lawless “Wild East” of 1990s Russia, building vast empires in oil and aluminium under a uniquely Russian system of protection and patronage.
The book reveals how obscene wealth, political influence and media power became tightly intertwined, and how challenging the new Kremlin power structure brought deadly consequences. From cash deliveries in the hundreds of millions to high-profile exile in London, it offers a rare inside look at the forces shaping modern Russia.
Blending investigative reporting with the pace of a thriller, this account illuminates the intersection of money, politics and personal ambition during one of the most volatile periods in recent European history.
Key themes
- Rise of Russian oligarchs after the fall of the Soviet Union
- Wealth, corruption and power in post-Soviet politics
- Relationship and conflict between Berezovsky and Abramovich
- Impact of the new Kremlin under Vladimir Putin
