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Description
Between Two FiresBy: Joshua Yaffa WINNER OF THE ORWELL PRIZE NEW YORK TIMES EDITORS CHOICE Unforgettable . . . a book about Putins Russia that is unlike any other.Patrick Radden Keefe, author of Empire of Pain From a Moscow correspondent for The New Yorker, a groundbreaking portrait of modern Russia and the inner struggles of the people who sustain Vladimir Putins rule ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEARNPR, Kirkus Reviews In this rich and novelistic tour of
By: Joshua YaffaWINNER OF THE ORWELL PRIZE • NEW YORK TIMES EDITORS’ CHOICE • “Unforgettable . . . a book about Putin’s Russia that is unlike any other.”—Patrick Radden Keefe, author of Empire of Pain
From a Moscow correspondent for The New Yorker, a groundbreaking portrait of modern Russia and the inner struggles of the people who sustain Vladimir Putin’s rule
ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR—NPR, Kirkus Reviews
In this rich and novelistic tour of contemporary Russia, Joshua Yaffa introduces readers to some of the country’s most remarkable figures—from politicians and entrepreneurs to artists and historians—who have built their careers and constructed their identities in the shadow of the Putin system. Torn between their own ambitions and the omnipresent demands of the state, each walks an individual path of compromise. Some muster cunning and cynicism to extract all manner of benefits and privileges from those in power. Others, finding themselves to be less adept, are left broken and demoralized. What binds them together is the tangled web of dilemmas and contradictions they face.
Between Two Fires chronicles the lives of a number of strivers who understand that their dreams are best—or only—realized through varying degrees of cooperation with the Russian government. With sensitivity and depth, Yaffa profiles the director of the country’s main television channel, an Orthodox priest at war with the church hierarchy, a Chechen humanitarian who turns a blind eye to persecutions, and many others. The result is an intimate and probing portrait of a nation that is much discussed yet little understood. By showing how citizens shape their lives around the demands of a capricious and frequently repressive state—as often by choice as under threat of force—Yaffa offers urgent lessons about the true nature of modern authoritarianism.
Praise for Between Two Fires
“A deep and revealing portrait of life inside Vladimir Putin’s Russia. . . . Yaffa mines a rich vein, describing his subjects’ moral compromises and often ingenious ways of engaging a crooked bureaucracy to show how the Kremlin sustains its authoritarianism.”—The New York Times Book Review
“Few journalists have penetrated so deep and with so much nuance into the moral ambiguities of Russia. If you want insight into the deeper distortions the Kremlin causes in people’s psyches this book is invaluable.”—Peter Pomerantsev, author of Nothing Is True and Everything Is Possible
“A stunning chronicle of Putin’s new Russia . . . It celebrates the vitality of the Russian people even as it explores the compromises and accommodations that they must make. . . . This embrace of contradictions is what makes Between Two Fires such a poignant and poetic book.”—Alex Gibney, Air Mail
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4.4 ★★★★★
Based on 6 reviews
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Product Reviews
★★★★★ 5
RETRO STYLING, VERY COMFORTABLE; QUALITY MATERIAL
Size: 11, Color: Black Leather/Black
VERY COMFORTABLE AND STYLISH PAIR OF SHOES; OLD FASHIONED STYLING; VERY NICE; WHEN THESE WEAR OUT, I WILL CERTAINLY BUY ANOTHER PAIR!!
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Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Great shoe
Size: 11.5 Wide, Color: Tan Leather Burnished
Very comfortable business casual shoe. Looks professional, yet stylish
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Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2026
★★★★★ 4
Hard to Beat for the Price
Size: 10 Wide, Color: Tan Leather Burnished
I purchased these for a business trip to Italy and wore them daily for the two weeks that I was there, during which I walked extensively. For me, there was a break-in period of a few days; before it loosens up, it will bite your heel, so I recommend wearing bandages or heel pads initially. Following the break-in, it's a very comfortable shoe and has served me well.
I purchased a wide, and for this shoe, I found the width agreeable; in my experience, Cole Haan wide widths tend to be hit or miss (i.e., a wide is sometimes not all that wide). In terms of durability, I would not expect these to remain in good condition for more than a year if you wear them daily. The leather is not of high quality, but it's acceptable for the price. Expect them to crease very quickly if not using shoe trees. That doesn't bother me, but I know some find it objectionable.
All in all, I like them and would buy them again. It's a comfortable alternative to traditional dress shoes for the office and works equally well for casual wear. Most higher quality options cost at least two or three times as much, and many are unavailable in a wide.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2025
★★★★★ 5
My favorite shoes
Size: 14 Wide, Color: White Leather
I’ve probably purchased like 40 pairs of these shoes or more. By far my favorite white sneaker. I have a large foot so the bigger sizes are appreciated. They’re versatile, literally go with anything and they are true to size. At a certain point they start to show wear and you can’t dress them up, but they last as a regular sneaker for a long time afterwards. I try to nab them on sale when they drop to $50-$70, absolute steal at that price point.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Clean Look, Super Comfortable – Instantly a Favorite
Size: 9.5, Color: White Leather
These sneakers are exactly what I was looking for—sleek, minimal, and incredibly comfortable right out of the box. The white leather looks sharp and pairs easily with everything from jeans to chinos, even dressed-down office wear.
What surprised me most was the comfort. The sole is lightweight with just the right amount of cushioning, making them perfect for walking around all day. I’ve worn them on long city days and never felt sore or tired.
They fit true to size (I’m a 9.5 and they’re spot on), and the quality feels premium. If you're after a versatile white sneaker that balances style and comfort, these are 100% worth it.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2025
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