Twenty years ago Putin's fiercest critic - 'Russia's lost moral conscience' - was gunned down. Anna Politkovskaya was one of the great, heroic investigative journalists of the modern era. Shining a light on Russian state corruption, human rights abuses, and the brutal conflict in Chechnya she was renowned for her unwavering commitment to exposing the harsh realities of life in Russia under Vladimir Putin's regime. That was until her violent murder in 2006. In this collection, published ahead of the twentieth anniversary of her death, the raw, unflinching prose that defined Politkovskaya's career is brought together to provide an unparalleled look at the complexities of modern Russia and the enduring fight for human rights within it. Through vivid storytelling and courageous reporting, Politkovskaya delves into themes of political oppression, the struggle for justice, and the resilience of the human spirit. The Essential Anna Politkovskaya is not just a tribute to a remarkable journalist, but a crucial reminder of the power of the written word to challenge authority and inspire change. WITH AN AFTERWORD FROM NOBEL PRIZE-WINNER, SVETLANA ALEXIEVICH