Politics and Literature
The General Trusts the President but Still Is Going to Check on
How He Will Keep His Promises
The Turning-Point – such is
the title of Nikolai Tarakanov’s book which has come off the printing press in a
circulation which may be described as infinitesimal (1,000 copies), although it
is very important for an adequate understanding of Russia as it is today. Its
author was an accredited representative, or proxy, of Vladimir Putin when the
latter was running for presidency during the latest election campaign, the
fascinating story of which is told by the writer. The most important thing, however,
is the fact that the book has seen the light of day, rather than its
circulation in terms of a number of copies. After that, as is usually the case,
the truth underlying it should force its way to impressive circulations and the
mass readership. The writer, who has his own, personal world view and position
in life, has not contrived to enlist generous sponsors, although he has always
been in the thick of crucial state events and in sight of the persons
responsible for them.
Nikolai
Tarakanov is a Major-General, Dr. Sc.
(Tech.), academician, member of
the Writers’ Union of Russia or, putting it into plain words, a Russian general
who praises most such human values and accomplishments as honour and human
dignity. His motto and life’s credo is “I will help people and do good as long
as I breathe.” The Fate has twice thrown the general into the crucible of
severe trials – elimination of the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster and
the earthquake in the north of Armenia. But he has held out against the odds of
life, unbroken even by radiation sickness.
As he himself
says, he became a writer in the hospital in 1990. This is his eighth book,
preceded by sincere writings devoted to the most dramatic pages from the modem
history of our country. One of them, The Notes of a Russian General, earned
Nikolai Tarakanov “The Best Pens of Russia” prize.
The protagonist
of the book, as the writer said at its official presentation, is the
electorate, with whom he had 75 meetings which became “a second Chernobyl” for
the presidential candidate’s proxy.
This story is
based on documentary material and is illustrated with interesting photographs.
The author presents unbiased pen-portraits of many present-day politicians
and provides the answer to the question: why did the people of Russia opt for
Putin?
It is quite
possible that the title of the book will provoke the feeling of apathy in
readers or put them on their guard. People in Russia have got tired of
accelerations, perestroikas, drastic and crucial decisions, turning-points,
etc. However, the author holds that the title of the book conveys its content
most accurately. “I am confident,” he told journalists, “that Putin’s coming
signifies a turning-point for the better in Russia.”
The writer
informed us that he had actually started” writing another book which he would
like to have been published by the new presidential elections. In his new
effort Nikolai Tarakanov is going to analyze how Vladimir Putin will have kept
the promises he gave to his electorate.
Alexander
BUTSENIN.