The Folly and the Glory

In "The Folly and the Glory," Pulitzer Prize winner Tim Weiner delivers a gripping and urgent account of the protracted 75-year struggle between the United States and Russia. This meticulously researched narrative traces the evolution of political warfare—encompassing espionage, sabotage, diplomacy, and disinformation—from the dawn of the Cold War in 1945 through 2020. Weiner argues that while America emerged victorious from the Cold War, Russia, under Vladimir Putin, is now gaining ground, having actively interfered in American elections and influencing its government. The book vividly details how Putin's regime leverages modernized Soviet-era intelligence tactics to sow discord and gain influence, while the U.S. has, by comparison, weakened its defenses. Through insider accounts and revelations of both CIA and KGB operations, Weiner illuminates the profound implications of this ongoing conflict for American democracy. "The Folly and the Glory" serves as a critical call to action, urging leaders and citizens to comprehend the gravity of political warfare and to adjust course before irreversible damage is done.