Steven Lee Myers

Steven Lee Myers is a foreign correspondent and author who spent over two decades reporting for The New York Times. He covered major international stories including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and Russian politics under Vladimir Putin. Myers served as Moscow bureau chief for The New York Times from 2006 to 2009, during a period of increasing tensions between Russia and the West. His reporting from Russia provided American readers with detailed coverage of Putin's consolidation of power and the country's domestic and foreign policy shifts. His book "The New Tsar: The Rise and Reign of Vladimir Putin" draws extensively from his years of reporting in Russia and interviews with Putin's associates, critics, and ordinary Russians. The book traces Putin's path from a KGB officer in East Germany to Russia's dominant political figure. Myers has also reported from other global hotspots and served in various editorial roles at The New York Times before transitioning to book writing.

Readers praise Myers for his thorough research and balanced approach to Putin's biography. Many appreciate his use of primary sources and extensive interviews with people who knew Putin at different stages of his career. Readers find the book accessible despite covering complex political topics, noting Myers' clear writing style and chronological structure. Some readers value the book's objectivity, describing Myers as neither demonizing nor glorifying Putin but presenting facts and letting readers draw conclusions. Several reviews highlight the book's detailed coverage of Putin's early years and rise through Russian politics. Critics note the book sometimes feels dense with information and political detail. Some readers wanted more analysis of Putin's psychology and motivations beyond the factual account. A few reviews mention the book's length as potentially daunting for casual readers. Others wished for more recent developments, though this reflects the book's 2015 publication date rather than a fundamental flaw.