The Road to Unfreedom, by Timothy Snyder. Pbk $50.00. Many books have been published since Donald Trump became POTUS (President of the United States of America.

The have mainly centred on the cult of the personality. Tim Snyder accents this work on how the Russians made Trump the President they preferred.

And how they went about it. We are left with the impression the USA is a puppet of Russian oligarchism, given Trump's financial dealings (or finaglings) with this harsh state. Trump's election win was actually Russia's win.

The Obama administrations says it felt like 'we choked” in the campaign to elevate Hillary Clinton. Snyder fillets various Republicans. Jeff Sessions may look honourable to some in recusing himself of an appointment, but Snyder says he lied in his dealings with Russia, having lied about his multiple contacts with the Russian ambassador.

To tread the corrugated lanes to modern-day Russia – and its citizens resemble the Poles in privation, genocide and seasonal torments – Snyder rationalises his findings with intense backgrounders, based on historical fact, of which he is unafraid to draw opinions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin sees the communist manifesto as a ‘pathetic' copy of The Bible; in other words, the equivalent of a builders' code for custard squares.

Road to Unfreedom has apparently be selling well – after the USA's mid-term elections, it may sell.

– Phil Campbell (Guest Reviewer).