The Russian democratic experiment continues under its third president, Vladimir Putin, now in his second term. The former KGB spy holds strong convictions of how the country should be managed and where he wants to stand on the world stage.

A former rock music promoter and a student of socialist thought at Oxford University, Tony Blair became a member of Parliament, and then prime minister of Great Britain, in only 14 years. Finding inspiration in President Bill Clinton's political strategy, the youthful Blair made his quick rise through the Labour Party's ranks largely by advocating modernization.

- Accounts of the leaders whose ideas and actions have changed the course of history- Examines each person's life in the context of the politics of the time

The House of Saud had humble beginnings as a family of nomads living in Arabia. Now the international oil trade has made Saudi Arabia one of the richest countries in the world, and its royal family finds itself caught in the balance between traditional Islamic faith and the appeal of wealth and Western-style ways.

This series offers absorbing accounts of the leaders whose ideas and actions have changed the course of history. Enhanced by full-color photographs, each book examines the leader's life in the context of the politics of the time.

This series offers absorbing accounts of the leaders whose ideas and actions have changed the course of history. Enhanced by full-color photographs, each book examines the leader's life in the context of the politics of the time.

Ariel Sharon overcame his opposition to become Israel's prime minister in 2001.

As president of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf has had to contend with political groups who have not supported his government.

Jacques Chirac has served in every major office of the French state, but has also been beset by corruption and crises.

Ukraine's Viktor Yushchenko was elected president of a country tainted by its history of corrupt leadership. Will he be able to transform his nation into a true democracy?