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Rating: 
Summary: More of the same in Russia these days
Review: I bought this book and "Chechnya Diary" by Thomas Goltz. I read this one first, which is backwards. If you are going to read both, read "Diary" first. It is more about the first chechen war, and this is more about the second. "Diary" is also good, but is more of an emphasis on the reporters events. This book is more a documentary of the war. If you are only going to read one, I recommend this one.This is mostly a book about atmosphere. The book has a little history of the conflict, but it is mostly insight into the daily life of the war. To me, that is a plus. There aren't really any battle strategies to discuss, and the actual history is muddled by lack of reporters, and Russian propoganda. It is obvious that the author is no fan of Putin, and reviewers of her other book have criticized the political bias of her writing, but I didn't see it as a problem. While having little good to say about Putin or the Russian Federal Forces, she does point out that there misdeads on both sides, and the citizens are caught in the middle. My biggest complaint is lack of pictures.
Rating: 
Summary: Brings Awareness to the plight of the Chechen people...
Review: If nothing else, this book brings a new awareness of the struggles that the Chechen people have faced over the last decade or more with Russia. I do not claim to know anything about Putin, but this book does not paint a very flattering picture of the man behind the war. A lot of food for thought and insights into the plight of the oppressed Chechens. An excellent book but not the best one on the market about Chechnya.
Rating: 
Summary: Lost in Translation?
Review: This book is a compilation of insights and reflections on the daily life of the war amidst the author's obvious resentment toward the Putin administration. While her bias for the Chechen population is also obvious, the book is still able to offer an insider's view of the many sides in Chechnya that could only be told by someone who had been there. The author goes to great lengths and hardships throughout the period of the book, to investigate the many facets of the war not only addressing Russian and Chechen citizens but also the warlord situation in the region. One must truly respect Politkovskaya just for her ability and courage to report the story. The explanations the author gives behind the war are interesting, but they get lost in a sea of anguish throughout the compilation. Anna gives so many examples of atrocities happening in the area that the reader starts to become immune to the graphic stories that she describes. If the reader comes away with nothing else from this book, it is that bad things are happening in Chechnya. One note that got a short mention and could have been investigated more was why the UN has not gotten more involved in the situation. The author only briefly mentions that because Russia is on the Security Council it can veto any outside action in the area. Perhaps something was lost in translation as I'm sure it often is, because this book ultimately was a failure. The ideal person to read this compilation of conspiracy theories and sad stories would be someone with prior knowledge of the Chechnya situation and an already sympathetic disposition for Chechen sovereignty. Nonetheless, the heartbreaking stories that will if nothing else bring much needed attention to the war.
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Summary: America is more interested in Martha Stewart and Britney
Review: This book was an easy read, but a sad one. The plight of the Chechen people is virtually unknown in the U.S. The author points out that Putin, Kofi Annan, and Bush do not or cannot do anything to stop the violence and illegal behavior in Chechnya. Politkovskaya writes her book in a series of short stories that recount the conditions in Chechnya. She personally witnessed some illegal activities, and documents others from victims. The story is riveting, I read the 224 pages in a 12 hour period, but it is not an action or adventure story, only a depressing one.
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