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jaraddavis02's review against another edition
5.0
Lately, I’ve been interested in how power is accrued. I’ve found myself fascinated with those who seem to navigate their way into positions where they can espouse their ideas and influence others. Many of the people I have been thinking about or reading about use their discovered power to corrupt while, of course, thinking it is for good. Is it?
This thought brought me to a book by Amos Barshad entitled No One Man Should Have All That Power. The premise of the book is based on the personality and influence of Grigori Rasputin, who was infamous for being the puppet master of Tsar Nicholas II. Barshad looks at other individuals who follow the Rasputin model of (typically) behind-the-scenes control. This book was an interesting examination of how people use their ambition, skill sets, lack of skill sets, and leverage as means to their mostly selfish ends. It would do us all well to not just look at the faces of the forefront, but to also survey what is happening in the background.
This thought brought me to a book by Amos Barshad entitled No One Man Should Have All That Power. The premise of the book is based on the personality and influence of Grigori Rasputin, who was infamous for being the puppet master of Tsar Nicholas II. Barshad looks at other individuals who follow the Rasputin model of (typically) behind-the-scenes control. This book was an interesting examination of how people use their ambition, skill sets, lack of skill sets, and leverage as means to their mostly selfish ends. It would do us all well to not just look at the faces of the forefront, but to also survey what is happening in the background.
jamesthesnake's review against another edition
4.0
Lots of great chapters a few snoozing chapters, some chapters with great parraells to rasputin, other ones seem really forced. This is one the books I love because it inspires me to read like 4 other books about what the chapters are based on. Overall this is a great analysis of where the true pinpoints of power are in the world , from entertainment to world governments.
agn946's review against another edition
5.0
*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
No One Man Should Have All That Power got my attention for two main reasons. The first is that one of my favorite writers, Shea Serrano, did the blurb on the front and the other was that the reference to a Kanye West song made me laugh. Then I read the description and decided I was all in. I didn’t realize I could be more all in until I saw that the author was going to frame all of his discussions of people in the background with power by using Rasputin as the model. Rasputin has always been a fascinating figure to me (although I am not as obsessed and thorough as the author was) and being able to learn more about him and his life and then using it as a tool to evaluate others was something that worked perfectly for me.
I think the first thing to be open about is that since each chapter features a different person and area of power, there are some chapters that are just intrinsically going to be more interesting to an individual than others. That said, I found myself being pleasantly surprised by several of the chapters that I initially thought would be some of the less interesting. This is the type of book that I would learn something interesting, about a publishing Rasputin for example, and immediately want to turn to Alyssa to share the interesting thing I had learned. I do not think there was a single chapter that I found to be uninteresting and more than half the chapters I was enthralled with.
The book is written in a way that is accessible. I felt like I was learning a ton about these individuals and ever chapter was clearly well researched, but it read very smoothly and not at all like a textbook which I appreciated. Barshad had also clearly prepared for the type of people he would be talking to and is incredibly thoughtful and transparent about his process as he writes about each “Rasputin.” I found I couldn’t stop reading halfway through a chapter and often wanted to push on right to the next one.
Overall, I thought the book was excellent. The topic itself was super interesting and the people chosen to be covered were each interesting in their own unique ways. I found the book incredibly easy to read and felt like I had learned some interesting things both in areas I already had some familiarity with and in others that I previously knew nothing about. If you have interest in people who peddle in power (especially behind the scenes) this is definitely a book worth checking out!
Also posted on Purple People Readers.
No One Man Should Have All That Power got my attention for two main reasons. The first is that one of my favorite writers, Shea Serrano, did the blurb on the front and the other was that the reference to a Kanye West song made me laugh. Then I read the description and decided I was all in. I didn’t realize I could be more all in until I saw that the author was going to frame all of his discussions of people in the background with power by using Rasputin as the model. Rasputin has always been a fascinating figure to me (although I am not as obsessed and thorough as the author was) and being able to learn more about him and his life and then using it as a tool to evaluate others was something that worked perfectly for me.
I think the first thing to be open about is that since each chapter features a different person and area of power, there are some chapters that are just intrinsically going to be more interesting to an individual than others. That said, I found myself being pleasantly surprised by several of the chapters that I initially thought would be some of the less interesting. This is the type of book that I would learn something interesting, about a publishing Rasputin for example, and immediately want to turn to Alyssa to share the interesting thing I had learned. I do not think there was a single chapter that I found to be uninteresting and more than half the chapters I was enthralled with.
The book is written in a way that is accessible. I felt like I was learning a ton about these individuals and ever chapter was clearly well researched, but it read very smoothly and not at all like a textbook which I appreciated. Barshad had also clearly prepared for the type of people he would be talking to and is incredibly thoughtful and transparent about his process as he writes about each “Rasputin.” I found I couldn’t stop reading halfway through a chapter and often wanted to push on right to the next one.
Overall, I thought the book was excellent. The topic itself was super interesting and the people chosen to be covered were each interesting in their own unique ways. I found the book incredibly easy to read and felt like I had learned some interesting things both in areas I already had some familiarity with and in others that I previously knew nothing about. If you have interest in people who peddle in power (especially behind the scenes) this is definitely a book worth checking out!
Also posted on Purple People Readers.
chyina's review against another edition
5.0
I received this book as an ARC in order for an honest review. And so, I have decided to share it with you all on Goodreads!
"No One Man Can Have All That Power" is a nonfiction book written by Amos Barshad after his in-depth pursuit at Rasputinism in popular culture. He first gives us an idea as to the truth behind Grigori Rasputin and how one Siberian peasant could hold the hearts of the Tsar and Tsarina. Barshad follows this with a look at various Rasputins in today's culture, people who work from behind the scenes, whispering in the ears of the public and influential, guiding them, manipulating them.
From sports, to musicians, to the presidents of three different countries, including both President Barack Obama and President Donald Trump. Who is the real power behind some of our favorite superstars? And why have they chosen to stay in the background instead of using their influence to propel themselves into the limelight? Barshad answers these questions and more, even giving a list of what makes a master manipulator, a Rasputin if you will.
I loved this book! It was quite fun to read and I am sure anyone interested in popular culture or psychology or sociology will be as fascinated as I was. Check it out!
"No One Man Can Have All That Power" is a nonfiction book written by Amos Barshad after his in-depth pursuit at Rasputinism in popular culture. He first gives us an idea as to the truth behind Grigori Rasputin and how one Siberian peasant could hold the hearts of the Tsar and Tsarina. Barshad follows this with a look at various Rasputins in today's culture, people who work from behind the scenes, whispering in the ears of the public and influential, guiding them, manipulating them.
From sports, to musicians, to the presidents of three different countries, including both President Barack Obama and President Donald Trump. Who is the real power behind some of our favorite superstars? And why have they chosen to stay in the background instead of using their influence to propel themselves into the limelight? Barshad answers these questions and more, even giving a list of what makes a master manipulator, a Rasputin if you will.
I loved this book! It was quite fun to read and I am sure anyone interested in popular culture or psychology or sociology will be as fascinated as I was. Check it out!
tesiadaj's review against another edition
5.0
A thought-provoking read, especially in the modern political climate. Rasputinism is addressed in many stand-alone chapters, ranging from sports to arts to politics.
tonstantweader's review
4.0
No One Man Should Have All That Power is a headlong race through the history of Rasputinism–the power of being the power behind the “throne” in government, music, film, and sports. Amos Barshad identifies seven principles of a Rasputin. They control others, their control is controversial, eliciting enemies. They have a larger personal agenda. They control only a few, powerful people. They work behind the scenes and lack the ability to carry out their plans on their own.
With a breezy wit, Barshad races through the real Rasputin, the various Rasputins of popular culture and history, and circles back to the historic Rasputin once again, this time going beyond the history written by his murderer, to a more nuanced and true history. Perhaps even Rasputin is no Rasputin.
No One Man Should Have All That Power is an enjoyable overview of the various people who have found power through other people’s talents and power. This makes perfect sense with the wannabes of politics and government. However, when he suggests that great editors, directors, or music producers are Rasputins, that they are the power “behind” the throne, I think he misunderstands those art forms. Who is more powerful than a great director. Stanley Kubrick was a greater power and will be known farther into the future than Tom Cruise, no matter how much he got Cruise to do for him. Great music producers put the artist with the song and the musicians that produce magic the singers cannot achieve on their own. And editing is an art form, it is not proofreading, it goes far beyond that. Gordon Lish made more than one writer better than he was. These people were artists in their own right, powers on their own particular thrones.
Even though I thought his thesis was little more than a good hook to hang a story on and a great excuse to travel and interview people, I enjoyed his breezy style and his stories of the manipulative and their victims. He suggests no one who wants to be Rasputin can succeed with Trump, suggesting no one can manipulate him long term. He looks at Kushner and Bannon, but he really should have looked Mick Mulvaney. He does not make the mistake of claiming to control Trump, but he controls Trump. I thought the book was enjoyable, but scratching the surface, looking at the obvious, and missing the real thing.
No One Man Should Have All That Power will be released April 9th. I received a copy from the publisher through Shelf Awareness.
No One Man Should Have All That Power at Abrams Books
Amos Barshad author site
★★★★
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpress.com/2019/04/07/9781419734557/
With a breezy wit, Barshad races through the real Rasputin, the various Rasputins of popular culture and history, and circles back to the historic Rasputin once again, this time going beyond the history written by his murderer, to a more nuanced and true history. Perhaps even Rasputin is no Rasputin.
No One Man Should Have All That Power is an enjoyable overview of the various people who have found power through other people’s talents and power. This makes perfect sense with the wannabes of politics and government. However, when he suggests that great editors, directors, or music producers are Rasputins, that they are the power “behind” the throne, I think he misunderstands those art forms. Who is more powerful than a great director. Stanley Kubrick was a greater power and will be known farther into the future than Tom Cruise, no matter how much he got Cruise to do for him. Great music producers put the artist with the song and the musicians that produce magic the singers cannot achieve on their own. And editing is an art form, it is not proofreading, it goes far beyond that. Gordon Lish made more than one writer better than he was. These people were artists in their own right, powers on their own particular thrones.
Even though I thought his thesis was little more than a good hook to hang a story on and a great excuse to travel and interview people, I enjoyed his breezy style and his stories of the manipulative and their victims. He suggests no one who wants to be Rasputin can succeed with Trump, suggesting no one can manipulate him long term. He looks at Kushner and Bannon, but he really should have looked Mick Mulvaney. He does not make the mistake of claiming to control Trump, but he controls Trump. I thought the book was enjoyable, but scratching the surface, looking at the obvious, and missing the real thing.
No One Man Should Have All That Power will be released April 9th. I received a copy from the publisher through Shelf Awareness.
No One Man Should Have All That Power at Abrams Books
Amos Barshad author site
★★★★
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpress.com/2019/04/07/9781419734557/
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