The Vory

by Mark Galeotti
The Vory cover
Good Books rating 4.33
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Paperback • £11.99
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  • ID: 2876
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-10-16
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
mafiabookreviews.com · Unknown · 2025-10-19
informative 4.00

The Vory provides a comprehensive and engaging look into the Russian criminal underworld, offering insights into its structure and operations. It's a well-researched and informative read, though some may find the dense subject matter challenging.

The Vory delves deep into the world of Russian organized crime, revealing the intricate hierarchy and operations of the Vory v Zakone. The book is meticulously researched and provides a wealth of information that is both fascinating and somewhat overwhelming. The author's expertise shines through, making it a valuable resource for those interested in criminology or Russian history. However, the subject matter can be quite dense, which might make it less accessible to casual readers. Overall, it's a compelling exploration of a shadowy world, but one that requires a bit of patience to fully appreciate.

Quick quotes

    The Vory v Zakone are a unique and fascinating criminal subculture

    This book is a must-read for anyone interested in organized crime

    The level of detail is impressive, though it can be overwhelming at times

goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-10-19
fascinating 4.50

The Vory provides a comprehensive history of the Russian mafia, highlighting its evolution alongside the Soviet Union and Russia. The book is praised for its detailed exploration of the vory's culture, rituals, and tattoos, as well as its analysis of the complex relationship between organized crime and the state. The reviewer finds the book fascinating and useful for understanding modern Russia and its political landscape.

The Vory by Mark Galeotti offers a captivating survey of the vory v zakone, or the Russian mafia, tracing its origins and development in parallel with the Soviet Union and Russia. The book is particularly strong in its discussion of the vory's unique culture, including their language, rituals, and distinctive tattoos. The reviewer appreciates the historical context provided, which helps to understand how figures like Stalin, Brezhnev, Gorbachev, Yeltsin, and Putin have contributed to the current state of corruption in Russia. The book also sheds light on the intricate relationship between organized crime and the state, showing how Putin uses organized crime to support his personal power and the Russian state. While the book loses some momentum when delving into the various facets of Russia's organized crime ecosystem, these sections are necessary for a comprehensive understanding. Overall, the reviewer finds the book fascinating and highly informative, providing valuable insights into modern Russia and its political dynamics.

Quick quotes

    If Lenin had shot more criminals and hired fewer, we might have seen a very different Soviet Union.

    Not everyone who carries a knife is a cook.

    A nice survey and history of the Vory V Zakone "thief within the code".

londonreviewbookshop.co.uk · Unknown · 2019-04-09
fascinating 4.50

The Vory provides a captivating history of the Russian mafia, detailing their unique culture and journey to power. The book is based on extensive research and offers insights into their adaptation to modern-day Russia.

The Vory by Mark Galeotti is a fascinating exploration of the Russian mafia, known as the vory v zakone. This group emerged from the gulags and developed a strict code of conduct, identified by their signature tattoos. The book traces their rise to power through various historical periods, including Stalinism, the Cold War, and the end of the Soviet Union. Galeotti's extensive research provides a deep understanding of their culture and how they have adapted to modern-day Russia's oligarchy and global opportunities. The Vory offers a compelling look into the world of organized crime and its evolution over time.

Quick quotes

    The vory v zakone is a group that has survived and thrived amid the changes brought on by Stalinism, the Cold War, the Afghan War, and the end of the Soviet experiment.

    Based on two decades of on-the-ground research, Galeotti's captivating study details the vory's journey to power from their early days to their adaptation to modern-day Russia's free-wheeling oligarchy and global opportunities beyond.

    The vory were identified by their signature tattoos, members abided by the thieves' code, a strict system that forbade all paid employment and cooperation with law enforcement and the state.

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