A Reason for Optimism? Farewells

Vladimir Vladimirovich Pozner is a master of Russian journalism. He has years of productive work on television behind him as the host of the author's television interview program Pozner on the First Channel and several books. His book Farewell to Illusions held a place on the New York Times bestseller list for several months. Pozner's new book A Reason for Optimism? Farewells makes one think. Pozner reflects on the most pressing issues of our time, illuminating them from different angles and emphasizing their connection to current events. The author addresses the past, sketches possible scenarios for the future, ironically sharpens the urgent problems, and compels the reader to independently search for solutions and draw conclusions about whether we have a reason for optimism. In the book, you will learn: • What bitter lessons of history teach us and whether they can teach us anything at all? • What is Russia's place in the modern world, how is it similar to and different from the USA, Europe, and China? • What are the merits and shortcomings of democracy? Do we need the death penalty? • What could be the consequences of the now-familiar social evil – corruption, inequality, restriction of freedoms? This book is a collection of so-called farewells, short concluding comments to the Pozner program, which aired on Russian television for many years.