This collection of essays devoted to the two terms of Vladimir Putin as president of the Russian Federation is based on contributions to a working conference held at the University of Naples “L’Orientale” (Italy), on 8–9 May 2008, coinciding precisely with the transfer of the office of president to Dmitrii Medvedev. Papers presented at that conference by major experts of the field, have been reworked and augmented by further contributions from scholars who were unable to attend, or who were invited to explore dimensions not covered at the conference. It is presented as a collection of views and interpretations of Putin in office from January 2000, when he assumed the position of acting president following the abrupt resignation of his patron, Boris Yeltsin, until his constitutionally required resignation from the post of president in favour of his own chosen successor – endorsed by the electorate on 2 March 2008 – under whose presidency Putin continues to function as prime minister. The book, it is hoped, will allow students of Russian politics as well as the general public to gain insight into Putin and his role in developing post-communist Russia to a new stage.