I visited my favourite bookshop, The Raven’s Parlour in Tanunda last weekend and walked away with two books, one being Patriot by Alexei Navalny. I started reading it a couple of days ago and haven’t been able to put it down until I finished it this morning.

Alexei was a Russian opposition leader, anti-corruption activist and political prisoner, he died while in prison in 2024. He founded the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) in 2011 and was recognised by Amnesty International as a prisoner of conscience and was awarded the Sakharov Prize for his work on human rights. Through his social media accounts, Alexei and his team published material about corruption in Russia, organised political demonstrations and promoted his campaigns.

His book is a poignant reminder of the brutality, corruption, dishonesty and censorship that are the hallmarks of authoritarianism which is on the rise across the world, be it Putin’s Russia or Trump’s America, or any of the other megalomaniacs seeking power and control over others. But it is also a reminder of the love we need to overcome it. Alexei gave his life for his love of Russia and the possibility of what he called the ‘Beautiful Russia of the future’. He saw that ‘power is in truth’ and overcoming our fear of the tyrant will give us ‘the strength to confront the monster of dictatorship and its constant companion, war’.

Throughout this book one is struck by Alexei’s courage, integrity and resilience as well as his humour when faced with the cruelty and evil of Putin’s Russian state. But we mustn’t equate the Russian state with the Russian people, or the people of any other country currently inflicted with authoritarianism. People are inherently good everywhere, unfortunately sometimes we make poor decisions on who should lead us (or sometimes we have no choice in that matter). This book is also testament to Alexei’s faith. I often wonder what would happen to Jesus if he was born today. Alexei’s story gives us a good idea.

Alexei says this towards the end of the book, ‘But life works in such a way that social progress and a better future can only be achieved if a certain number of people are willing to pay the price for their right to have their own beliefs. The more of them there are, the less everyone has to pay. And the day will come when speaking the truth and advocating for justice will be commonplace and not dangerous in Russia.’ And therein lies the hope of this book, we must all stand vigilant in these times and speak the truth and practise kindness, as that is where we will find the more beautiful world that our heart know is possible.

His relentless fight against the injustice and corruption of the Russian state is both inspiring and sobering. I hope that Alexei’s vision for Russia becomes a reality.

Patriot by Alexei Navalny does more than challenge Vladimir Putin’s authoritarianism, it is also a challenge to every nationalism and ideology that seeks no dissent and absolute power.

Do yourself a favour and get a copy of this book, I thoroughly recommend it.