With the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia launched itself on a fitful transition to western style democracy. But with Vladimir Putin at the helm, the promise has vanished. KREMLIN RISING is the first book to go behind the scenes and reveal the secret history of 'Project Putin', the plot to seize back power in the Kremlin. After four years as Moscow Bureau Chiefs for The Washington Post, Susan Glasser and Peter Baker now document the methodical campaign to reverse the post-Soviet revolution and transform Russia back into an authoritarian state as Putin seized control over Russian television, jailed political rivals, cancelled elections and waged a brutal war in Chechnya against separatists and civilians alike. This gripping report takes readers inside the key events of Putin's rise to power - from its mysterious origins through the Moscow theatre siege of 2002 to the horrific slaughter of Beslan's schoolchildren in 2004. Filled with personal stories and groundbreaking reporting, the book features accounts from frightened army deserters, an imprisoned oil billionaire, a trendy Moscow restaurant king, a reluctant underwear salesman, and even George W. Bush, who looked into Putin's soul only to realize belatedly that his new friend was no democrat. With gripping, page-turning narrative, KREMLIN RISING opens a window on a country on the brink, where behind the gleaming new shopping malls the dream of western democracy is slowly disintegrating.