Russian Roulette by Michael Isikoff and David Corn Summary

Russian Roulette investigates Russia’s interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, detailing Vladimir Putin’s cyber-espionage campaign, Trump team connections to Russian operatives, and the origins of the Steele dossier. The book traces Trump’s business ties to Russia, exposes key figures like Paul Manafort and Michael Flynn, and analyzes how Russian operatives exploited social media to sway voters.

Political enthusiasts, historians, and readers interested in espionage or modern U.S. politics will find this book essential. It’s ideal for those seeking a granular account of Russian cyberwarfare tactics, Trump-Russia collusion allegations, and the failures of U.S. intelligence agencies to counter foreign interference.

Yes—it’s a New York Times bestselling exposé praised for its riveting narrative and meticulous sourcing. Journalists Corn and Isikoff combine decades of investigative experience to dissect one of America’s most consequential political scandals, offering clarity on complex events like the Steele dossier’s creation and the Magnitsky Act’s role in U.S.-Russia tensions.

The book documents Trump’s pursuit of a Moscow Trump Tower deal during the campaign, interactions with Russian oligarchs, and his team’s meetings with Kremlin-linked figures like lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya. It also details Michael Flynn’s secret communications with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak about sanctions.

It reveals how ex-British spy Christopher Steele compiled the dossier at Fusion GPS’s request, aiming to expose Trump’s alleged compromising ties to Russia. The authors emphasize Steele’s anti-Putin motives and the dossier’s role in prompting FBI investigations, while acknowledging its unverified claims.

Putin is portrayed as orchestrating a multi-pronged attack on U.S. democracy through cyberhacks, propaganda, and cultivating Trump as an asset. The book links his grievances over NATO expansion and the Magnitsky Act to Russia’s election meddling.

It highlights Obama’s delayed response to Russian interference, reluctance to publicly confront Putin, and failure to bolster election cybersecurity despite intelligence warnings. The authors argue this inaction enabled Russia’s influence campaign.

1. Cyberwarfare: Russia’s use of social media trolls and phishing attacks marked a new era of political espionage.
2. Kompromat: Putin’s regime allegedly sought compromising material on Trump to manipulate U.S. policy.
3. Institutional Failures: U.S. agencies underestimated Russia’s capabilities and struggled to coordinate responses.

Unlike opinion-driven accounts, Corn and Isikoff focus on reportage over commentary, citing FBI sources, intercepted communications, and insider interviews. It’s often compared to The Apprentice for its granular detail but stands out for its bipartisan critique of U.S. intelligence lapses.

Some reviewers note its dense chronology of events may overwhelm casual readers. Critics also argue it leans heavily on circumstantial evidence for Trump-Putin collusion, though the authors stress their findings are investigative rather than conclusive.

The book details Butina’s infiltration of U.S. conservative circles through the NRA, framing her as a Kremlin asset tasked with building backchannels to the Trump campaign. It ties her efforts to Russia’s broader influence strategy targeting right-wing groups.

With ongoing debates about election security and foreign disinformation, the book remains a cautionary tale about vulnerabilities in democratic systems. Its analysis of social media manipulation foreshadowed today’s AI-driven misinformation campaigns.