The book about Putin tops the UK sales rankings

D + D – Normal size

A British journalist’s book about Russian President Vladimir Putin has topped the bestseller list in the United Kingdom, its publisher announced on Wednesday.

William Collins Books Managing Director Arabella Pike wrote on Twitter that Catherine Bilden’s “Putin ‘People”, first published in 2020, was the UK’s best-selling non-fiction pocket book.

The book peaked at number seven on the “Sunday Times” bestseller list last week.

The author of the critically acclaimed book, former correspondent of the Financial Times in Moscow, and Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich have been sued by individuals within the Russian oligarchy.

After the Russian military operation in Ukraine, three of these oligarchy groups were sanctioned by the British government because of their contacts with the Kremlin.

After its first publication, “Putin’s” became a Sunday Times bestseller. Sales rose again due to Russian military action in Ukraine, which increased public interest in the Russian president.

In a tweet, Catherine Bilton thanked William Collins Books owner Harper Collins for “being eager to keep the book on the shelves despite last year’s unprecedented lawsuits.”

HarperCollins finally reached a consensus solution to the dispute between himself and Roman Abramovich in December 2021, and agreed to edit some passages in future editions of the book about him, especially regarding the Kremlin’s role in the 2003 acquisition of Chelsea FC.

The Foreign Office of the British House of Commons on Tuesday asked Catherine Bilden about legal action taken by members of the oligarchy against journalists.

Roman Abramovich was subjected to British sanctions on March 10, including property freezes, travel bans and restrictions on contact with individuals and companies in the UK.

These fines meant that he could not file such legal action in the High Court with the help of a British law firm.