When Vladimir Putin took power, Russian life was unpredictable, and Russian power and influence were at historic lows.  How to make Russia great again?  Putin’s formula was simple – a strong government, and a powerful military to command respect at home and abroad, and national unity. Shaun Walker of the Guardian, whose new book, The Long Hangover shows how Putin used nostalgic memories of World War 2 to bring Russians together.  Never mentioning Stalinist purges or mass deportations was part of his propaganda plan.