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Whether in the illegal occupation of Crimea and eastern Ukraine, in verbal exchanges with the "West," or in the struggle to maintain power at home, Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin repeatedly mobilizes and exploits moments from 1,000 years of Russian history to justify controversial policies. He presents himself as a statesman committed to reviving the former glory and greatness of the Russian and Soviet empires. Whether borrowing from the Tsarist era or the Soviet era, his playing on the historical keyboard earns him considerable support at home. "Putin and the Power of History" examines events, figures, and turning points in Russia's past to which Putin refers. Renowned experts comment, such as Putin's "chief historian," Molotov's grandson Vyacheslav Nikonov, and Nikolai Svanidze, a supporter of Gorbachev's policies.