No comments about Passport to Russia,.

No comments about St Petersburg Insight Pocket Guide.

2 comments about Why Russia: A Nostalgic Old World Adventure.

1. Why Russia? A Nostalgic Old World Adventure is the personal story of communications and engineering management expert C. David Gleason, who journeyed from his home in Alaska to gain financing for a satellite earth station in Russia. His personal adventure is replete with amazing and sometimes dangerous characters, Why Russia? is an incredible, "stranger than fiction" story, and a truly fascinating look at how a different and varied culture perceives life in America. Highly recommended reading for those with an interest in contemporary Russian culture, economic, and political transformation, black and white photographs pepper this most extraordinary and highly recommended entrepreneurial memoir.



2. "Why Russia?" is the quentesential question everyone is asked when telling friends and family that they plan to travel to Russia. This book is it! The best account of what can happen to people interested in Russia, particuarly if they are a "DIY" person, an Alaskan! Gleason is exactly this kind of person and he's a professional who can provide needed expertiese to the country but not in coldhearted way that lacks understanding of the Russian people. The kind of person who can really help this country, whatever Russians themselves might think. Still, despite its charms Russia has a tendency to scare off even those who love her and want to help her. This book captures this dynamic best. I should know, I fly home from the Russian Far East to Anchorage in a few days for surgery after my Russian adventure has also left me "battered and bruised both mentally and physically". I'm glad I at least read this book beforehand so as to have some perspective on my situation. Another great book on Russia is "Siberian Dreams" by Alexander Blakley. If you decide to attempt Russia as well, please be careful.

No comments about Great Cities of Eastern Europe.

No comments about Moscow Insight Compact Guide (Insight Compact Guides).

No comments about Caucasian Journey.

No comments about EARLY VOYAGES AND TRAVELS TO RUSSIA AND PERSIA by Anthony Jenkinson and Other Englishmen. With Some Account of the First Intercourse of the English with Russia and Central Asia by way of the Caspian Sea. Edited by E. Delmar Morgan & C.H. Coote. Two volume.

1 comments about Russia: A Portrait.

1. This book contains seventy-two black and white images of the former Soviet Union taken by Soviet photo jornalist, Lev Poliakov. Most of the photos were take in the 1960's although there are a few from the early 1970's. Most of them are both landscapes and portraits and generally show ordinary people doing ordinary things. My favorite photo of the book shows more than just ordinary activity. It is a 1970 photograph of a bearded man in swim trunks and a towel standing on the the frozen Neva River. The ice has been cut away, and the man is apparently drying himself off after dip in the frigid river. Watching him are three young children bundled up in scarves, hats, and heavy winter clothes. In the backgound of the image can be seen Leningrad's (now St Petersburg's) Winter Palace, Admiralty, and St. Isaac's Cathedral. Since I have two adopted children from Russia, I appreciate the honesty of Poliakov's images. So many books on Russia over emphasize the beautiful palaces, museums, and churches. Poliakov has found beauty in the ordinary and is able to present a more honest image of what was Russia. This book would be a great addition to the library of anyone with an interest in Russia.

No comments about House of the Station Supervisor (in Russian).

No comments about The New Eurasia: A Guide to the Republics of the Former Soviet Union.