Masha Gessen "Words Will Break Cement"

Masha Gessen discusses her book, Putin, and Pussy Riot at Politics and Prose in Washington, D.C. This event was recorded March 8, 2014.
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Founded by Carla Cohen and Barbara Meade in 1984, Politics & Prose Bookstore is Washington, D.C.'s premier independent bookstore and cultural hub, a gathering place for people interested in reading and discussing books. Politics & Prose offers superior service, unusual book choices, and a haven for book lovers in the store and online. Visit them on the web at www.politics-prose.com/

[@normbabbitt4325]

I am so impressed by Masha, who is one of the most intelligent, articulate and bravest of human beings. She also speaks with sanity and compassion, where so much of social discourse these days is reactive, personal attack, irrelevance and insanity, not even dealing with the actual issues. I love listening to her truly penetrating insights.

[@dntskdnttll]

Gessen is a real analyst and intellect, and not just a sports pundit-esque talking head like many. And which type do you see on bigger screens more often? Heh.

[@wen6519]

I love listening to Masha's calm voice and crafted story telling

[@maresch47]

This is my favourite book of 2014! Thank you Masha!!

[@gabrielfox5017]

Oh, but optimism is a Hell we have to bear, for the value therein, but Hell hath no condemnation like hopes dashed. But we have to go on. Masha Gessen is inspirational to that.

[@Vejur9000]

She’s brilliant. What an intellect. Love Masha. When she makes an appearance I watch.

[@JeffreyGreenCompRhet]

Martin, thank you for your comment. To date, every other comment here is a personal attack. Perhaps the comments section about a video can be expected to be about the content of the video. Guess not. Let me break the cycle by simply observing that Masha Gessen is a brilliant woman, a fine writer, and a brave human. Thank you.

[@avetsuper6272]

+Jeffrey Green Brilliant for what??????

[@markofsaltburn]

If I see a Masha Gessen video and the comments are full of Russian trolls, I know it’s going to be good.

[@robkirchhof133]

this person is the best person. Good luck to Pussy Riot, too.

[@emilykrahn3185]

Thank you Ms Gessen for your thoughts and writings. These personal comments here are SO moronic.

[@TedATL1]

I like Gessen, but she has a very annoying upspeak habit.

[@kneelingcatholic]

At 23:00 minutes in Masha refers to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and its predecessor as “hideous”. As it represents the Faith of a vast number of Russians she certainly holds traditional Orthodox beauty if not the Orthodox Faith in contempt.

[@dawnfinn3843]

Actually she is speaking of the building not the religion.....

[@markofsaltburn]

It’s a building; calm down.

[@kneelingcatholic]

@@markofsaltburn , you really don't sense the condescension and disgust in her delivery? Maybe you are right....I'll cut Masha some slack. At least she recognizes that sanctions never work on Putin and certainly will hurt ordinary Americans!

[@charcia3713]

Does people who attend her speech gets the point of what she talking about beside turning around about meaningless stories.. I dont to be a hater but she feels like an empty shell with no genuine thought... anyone else feel the same?

[@Beretta249]

Nope. Next?

[@kristinsettlemyre1445]

alizada subhan ali No. Not at all.

[@markofsaltburn]

Not really, dear.

[@charcia3713]

There is no real genuine thought behind her speech only a lot of meaningless stories.

[@maxcuthbert100]

Such as....?

[@markofsaltburn]

A bit like your comment, then.

[@addis11100]

sell out