Patriot

Patriot is the exhilarating life story of one of the most fearless and inspiring figures of our time, who became a beacon to millions and the sole political threat to Vladimir Putin.

This is Alexei Navalny’s life in his own words: his Soviet childhood, political awakening, his marriage and beloved family, his total commitment to taking on a corrupt regime and his enduring love of Russia and its people. His 2020 poisoning by the Russian security services was a global news event. In 2024 he died in a brutal Siberian prison. He began writing Patriot whilst recovering from his poisoning; it ends with his prison diaries, seen here for the first time.

We witness the growth of his nationwide support. We see his many arrests and harassment and, in stunning detail, the attempt on his life. We understand why he felt he had to return to Russia. In prison, he shows a spirit and a sense of humour that cannot be crushed.

Patriot is as dramatic as its author’s life – passionate that good and freedom will prevail. It is Alexei Navalny’s final letter to the world, a rousing call to continue his work, an unforgettably positive account of a life that will inspire every reader.

Review

Charisma and courage still dazzle on every page. His voice is so vivid – fearless, playful, funny, clear-eyed – that while reading Patriot I kept finding myself forgetting he was dead -- Decca Aitkenhead ― Sunday Times

Extraordinary ... The late Russian activist’s memoir is an insightful, sharp, and even humorous account of fight against Putin’s regime – and a warning to the world … A brave and brilliant book -- Luke Harding ― Guardian *Book of the Day*

A worthy testament to the author’s resistance to Putin and a heartbreaking account of Russia’s collapse into war and repression … [Patriot] is the best example left to us of Navalny’s defiance, courage, humour, and love for a country he believed could become 'the beautiful Russia of the future' ― Financial Times


Much has been written about the chilling realities of Putin’s Russia. Yet… Alexei Navalny is in a class of its own… Unflinching, defiant and even hopeful, the book… [is] a shocking and extraordinary “memorial” -- Frederick Studemann ― Financial Times, *Books of the Year*

Patriot, by the murdered Russian opposition leader, will be seen as a historic text … Its value lies not in what it tells you about the cruelties of Mr Putin’s regime, but in what it reveals about the human spirit ― Economist

This book is a gospel … impossible to stop reading ... [Navalny] is not going to be the political leader for future generations of Russians. But he might be the moral example – some kind of Russian messiah ― Vanity Fair

Alexei Navalny never loses faith that his cause is worth suffering for … [Patriot] is a testament to a famed dissident's extraordinary battle against despair as the Russian authorities gradually increase their crackdown against him ― Independent

[A] gripping posthumous account of Navalny’s long confrontation with Putin … Compelling, impressive ― Telegraph

Remarkable … [Navalny] is the greatest political figure of his generation – the greatest president many Russians believe they never had … Patriot is less a memorial than a handbook on how to stand up to a bully … with humour and grace and without fear -- Carole Cadwalladr ― Observer, *Book of the Week*

His only weapon words, Navalny skewers Putin’s tyranny, corruption and lies, but even while inhumanly caged his humour, love of life and ultimate faith in humankind shine through ― New Statesman, *Books of the Year*

[Patriot is] part memoir, part diary, is a political manifesto, a darkly funny adieu and a posthumous indictment of his murderers. But it is also a poignant paean to reading and the solace of the written word for a man deprived of freedom -- Ben Macintyre ― The Times

Alexei Navalny was among the greatest, smartest, most charismatic and effective leaders that the Russian opposition has had ... Here we feel his bravery and great spirit -- Owen Matthews ― The Times

One might expect a work by an anti-corruption activist and political prisoner … to read like a righteous diatribe. It does not. Patriot reveals less about Navalny’s politics than it does about his fundamental decency, his wry sense of humour and his (mostly) cheery stoicism under conditions that would flatten a lesser person -- David Kortova ― New York Times

The memoir is a chance to commune with the mind of a dissident … shocking ... As a I read, I grieved, not just for Navalny the man, but for the idea of a person like him ― Atlantic

Patriot is a plea to keep resisting Putin … Honest, full of penetrating wit and with a nice ear for mockery, [Navalny] wielded cheerfulness as a weapon and never lost faith that the right side must eventually prevail ― Washington Post

About the Author

Alexei Navalny (Author)
ALEXEI NAVALNY was a Russian opposition leader, an anti-corruption campaigner, and political prisoner who won international recognition and respect. His many international honours included the Sakharov Prize, the European Parliament’s annual human rights prize. He died in 2024.