Russia Books

Dr. Kratz is certainly the foremost authority on this subject. His command of the intricacies of developing markets in Eastern Europe is exceptional. His understanding led the Deutsche European Equity Fund to its 5 star number 1 rank among stock funds in its category. One would be well-advised to listen to his insights into these exciting and critical markets.

I read Dr Kratz's expose of frontier emerging markets. A very good book. He masters this asset class and the details which make a good and savvy investor in frontier markets. It is by far one of the most interesting fields of international investing, and I am sure this book is just the beginning of many more to follow on the field - it's a primer. I recommend the book to students and practitioners of finance and investments. Dr Kratz strikes a healthy balance between academic thinking and practial experience and application.

Dr. Kratz's new book on frontier markets is essential to the understanding of this new genre within the equity asset class. It offers a unique journey through the creation of a young emerging equity market and supports conclusions with strong empirical analysis. It supports the notion that valuation in "frontier markets" is more an art than a science, but in order to truly understand such markets one has to be open-minded and a keen observer of what Kratz calls the philology of the frontier market valuation debate. This is new, and sure to fuel the debate on the subject of asset pricing in an environment with little objective and hard data to come by.

This is a wonderful book for anyone just entering into Russian literature (or someone who has yet to gain a passion for reading). Dostoevsky is very poignant and clearly articulates the feelings humans go through, including the inner turmoil associated with daily life... Great night time reading.

One night i decided to "start" the first story in the book, The Double. I was up a little past four in the morning, finishing the story. I was simply enthralled. I continued in this fashion for eight days; until i had finished all eight stories. Dostoevsky seems to have endowed every piece of everything he ever wrote with complete brilliance. Though my favorite story in the collection was Notes From the Underground, all the stories were generally entertaining and almost always enlightening.

This collection can be recommended to anyone interested in sampling Dostoyesvky's shorter fiction; it contains within the one volume a good number of stories which in other editions (Penguin and Oxford) fill more than one volume.

The short stories themselves are just sublime and should not be overlooked by those who tend to think that the best work will be necessarily contained in the novels. The Double is my favourite; it is an especially humorous tale, though sombre in its overall vision. Notes from the Underground is seminal, of course, and is probably the most important story included; A Gentle Creature is disturbing.

If you are a reader of Russian Literature, or simply a lover of encyclopedias, dictionaries and other reference works, "Handbook of Russian Literature" is something you might want in your library. The "Handbook" has nearly one thousand entries, large and small, providing comprehensive coverage, in a single volume, of every aspect of Russian literature during the past ten centuries. A large format book with small print and double columns on each page, the "Handbook" contains entries written by over one hundred leading scholars and ably edited by Victor Terras.

The entries range from one or two lines to several thousand words over several pages. There are biographical entries of Russian authors, little and well known, as well as entries on various genres, historical periods, literary movements, literary journals and periodicals, and critical theories. Each entry includes a bibliography and, in addition, there is a useful general bibliography, broken out by historical periods, at the end of the book. The "Handbook" is, in other words, a perfect reference and entrée into the world of Russian literature. I find myself dipping into this book often, at random, and never fail to learn something new and interesting. I also use it as a valuable source of background reading when I sit down to read a Russian author.

The only shortcomings of the "Handbook" are that its print is very small (allowing the book, of course, to cram an immense amount of information in less than 600 pages) and that it devotes little coverage to authors of roughly the last quarter of the twentieth century, including some of the so-called "dissident" authors who wrote in the years immediately preceding publication (a shortcoming, however, that is excusable because most of the research for the "Handbook" was done in the early 1980s and the book was published in 1985). Also, while the bibliographies are useful for the casual reader, serious research requires reference to more recent sources.

This is a great book for anybody who is studying or likes reading Russian Literature. It has an informative article on practically every Russian writer that you'll need to know about, although a few of the more contemporary ones are omitted.

In addition to providing a thorough biographical sketch for each author, it also mentions the major works of each author and gives critical opinions and brief analyses of many of the works. The major translations available are listed at the end of each entry.

I like reading the sketch on an author before I begin reading his or her work. It provides a great introduction.

If you are a reader of Russian Literature, or simply a lover of encyclopedias, dictionaries and other reference works, "Handbook of Russian Literature" is something you might want in your library. The "Handbook" has nearly one thousand entries, large and small, providing comprehensive coverage, in a single volume, of every aspect of Russian literature during the past ten centuries. A large format book with small print and double columns on each page, the "Handbook" contains entries written by over one hundred leading scholars and ably edited by Victor Terras.

The entries range from one or two lines to several thousand words over several pages. There are biographical entries of Russian authors, little and well known, as well as entries on various genres, historical periods, literary movements, literary journals and periodicals, and critical theories. Each entry includes a bibliography and, in addition, there is a useful general bibliography, broken out by historical periods, at the end of the book. The "Handbook" is, in other words, a perfect reference and entrée into the world of Russian literature. I find myself dipping into this book often, at random, and never fail to learn something new and interesting. I also use it as a valuable source of background reading when I sit down to read a Russian author.

The only shortcomings of the "Handbook" are that its print is very small (allowing the book, of course, to cram an immense amount of information in less than 600 pages) and that it devotes little coverage to authors of roughly the last quarter of the twentieth century, including some of the so-called "dissident" authors who wrote in the years immediately preceding publication (a shortcoming, however, that is excusable because most of the research for the "Handbook" was done in the early 1980s and the book was published in 1985). Also, while the bibliographies are useful for the casual reader, serious research requires reference to more recent sources.

if you want to have a ideal about inner workings of russia this book will do.walter g. moss books on russia are well done.

BRAND NEW BOOK FOR A USED PRICE. LOOKED NEW, FELT NEW, EVEN SMELLED NEW. EXCELLENT DEAL.

Now in a revised second edition reflecting the latest research findings and controversies on multiple subjects, A History Of Russia Volume I: To 1917 by Walter G. Moss (Department of History and Philosophy, Eastern Michigan University) is the first of a comprehensive two-volume set that, in addition to the sweeping events of Russian political history, takes note of the everyday life, women's studies, religion, literature, and art of Russia. A History Of Russia Volume I: To 1917 is an expertly presented and thoroughly informative narration recommended for a scholar's Russian History reference shelf, as well as accessibly informative reading for the non-specialist general reader with an interest in the historical development of Russia.

Mr. Magocsi's "History of Ukraine" often takes a second billing to Mr. Subtelny's "Ukraine: A History" - and I think, unfairly. Both have a lot to offer, and frankly, no passionate student of Ukrainain history should choose one over the other. He or she should get both. A wealth of information, and first rate scholarship are impressive. Mr. Magocsi has done a first rate job. Mychajlo Hrushevsky would approve of both, and we should too.

From pre-history to Independence in 1991, this book surveys the history of Ukraine and its people. It is unique in not only portraying the history of the Ukrainian people but also includes the other peoples who live or have lived in the land now known as Ukraine.

The organization of the book is chronological with 49 chapters divided into ten parts. Each part covers a significant period in Ukrainian history: Pre-Kievan Times; the Kievan Period; the Lithuanian-Polish Period; the Cossack State; the Hetmanate; Ukraine in the Russian Empire; Ukraine in the Austrian Empire; World War I; the Interwar Years; and, World War II & the Postwar Years. Forty-two black-and-white maps help illustrate the concepts described in the text. Also included are thirty-six textual inserts which provide lengthy quotes of important documents. Sometimes these feel redundant because the author has described so well the events highlighted by the inserted texts.

For readers to whom 700 pages of Ukrainian history is not enough and who want to learn more about specific events or periods described in this book, Magocsi provides a forty page bibliographic essay called: For Further Reading. One of the great stumbling blocks for English-speaking readers who want to learn Ukrainian history is the fact that so many Ukrainian sources have not been translated. A great feature of this bibliography is that the vast majority of the works listed are in English.

Ukrainian history is complex. This book, although daunting to read because of its size and depth of coverage, can help the student of Ukrainian history untangle the puzzles of Ukraine and its people. It is a great reference work that belongs in the library of anyone interested in the subject.

A beautifully written history of outstanding excellence. I have found it most helpful. Professor Magocsi is to be commended on a another success.

Many books have been written on the Red Army and its performance during the Great Patriotic War but none has the depth of scholarship and the wealth of data that Dunn's work contains. The book is divided in chapters about the armored forces, the artillery, the infantry, the industrial production etc. and the reader will be captivated by the statistics which reveal the colossal scale of the Red Army's "come back" after the initial disastrous defeats it suffered in 1941-42. The essence of the book is to prove that the final victory of the Soviets over Nazi Germany was not only the product of fine operational art and courage by the common soldier, but also of a unique and massive industrial effort which outproduced the Third Reich in all kinds of armaments.

This book, despite its repetitive style, is simply the best in-depth analysis of the evolution of the Soviet Army in WWII, at least in English. It is therefore, despite its rather high price, essential reading for anyone interested in the Eastern Front. It is also complemented by Steve Zaloga's "Red Army Handbook", with its invaluable TO&Es which document graphically the evolution analysed in this book.

This book is an important piece of scholarship which is based on Russian and German primary sources. It seeks to look at the Red Army and why it was able to defeat the Germans. Conventional histories have relied on the myth that Germany, a smaller country than the Soviet Union was in the end overwhelmed by hoards of poorly armed Soviet troops dying as they attacked the superbly trained but numerically weaker German Army.

Dunn shows that the victory of the forces of the Soviet Union was something that was unexpected. In 1942 Germany not only controlled all of Europe but also 60 million Soviet citizens. The Germans had a far greater pool of labor and industry to draw on. Rather than the Soviets having vast reserves of manpower by 1943 they had to reduce the size of infantry regiments as they ran out of troops. They key to Soviet success was not the numbers of men but the increase in the number of tanks and other equipment in Soviet formations which were used as a substitute for men. This was made possible by the Soviet command economy that was able to divert almost all production to the war effort. This contrasted to Germany and its allies who squandered its resources up till 1944 by which time it was to late.

Dunn's work like his well researched "Kursk Hitlers Gamble" is a vital book for anyone wanting to understand the true nature of the second world war and why Germany lost. A must read.

This book is a great read for both newbies to the Romanovs as well as buffs. It is lushly illustrated with rare photos, first hand accounts from Gibbes as well as the children's other tutors, and gets into the imprisonment better than most books I have read about the Romanovs. Being the buff that I am (;)
I was not dissapointed, and i don't think you will be either.

This is a wonderful book that describes the last days of Czar Nicholas II and his family. The emphasis is on the children --- son Alexis and daughters Anastasia, Maria, Tatyana, and Olga.

The book is based on the recollections of the children's tutor, Pierre Gilliard, who accompanied them in exile for a time. It is filled with photographs, letters, and other memorobilia from Monsieur Gilliard's collection. These provide a delightful side to the tragic story of the last days of the Romanovs.

It is a pity that this wonderful book is out of print.

"The House of Special Purpose" is compiled from the papers of Charles Sydney Gibbes (or Gibbs), English tutor to the children of Tsar Nicholas II. J. C. Trewin did an excellent job of going through Gibbs' papers and combining them with published sources to form a fascinating narrative. The photographs, too, are well-chosen. The Russian revolution happens a third of the way through the book; however, Gibbs was with the family in their captivity in Siberia, and has interesting anecdotes and dimensions to add. One complaint is the lack of a proper bibliography. While "House of Special Purpose" was mostly based on unpublished sources, it would be nice to know at a glance what other sources Trewin consulted. (Sometimes sources are given in footnotes at the bottom of the page; other times they are not.) Similarly, an index might have been nice. However, these are both stylistic complaints. This is an interesting book, highly recommended for anyone with an interest in the last tsar. It is, as other reviewers have said, a shame that it is out of print and hard to find.

My 3-year-old great niece is really into ballet, and she loves having this book read to her. The story is so well written, I'm sure this book will continue to be one of her favorites for years to come.

Taken from her 1922 memoirs, Pages Of My Life, dancer Anna Pavlova tells of her first experience at the ballet as a little girl. Her simple and gentle words are full of imagery and passion as she relates the wonder of watching the Sleeping Beauty ballet...the sounds of Tchaikovsky's music, the mesmerizing beauty of the dancers, and the roar of the audience. On that thrilling afternoon her love affair with dance began, and a dream commenced that set the course of her life. Ms Pavlova's lovely text is enhanced by the magic and wonder of Edgar Degas' paintings. His artwork transports the reader back to this long ago performance, and together words and art bring that day to life. Perfect for youngsters 4-8, I Dreamed I Was A Ballerina includes short biographies of both Pavlova and Degas, to complete the story, and is a masterpiece to be treasured by aspiring ballerinas and artists, everywhere.

Yes, this is a beautiful, moving story of a girl's dream come true. I bought it for my 6 year-old grandaughter who loves her ballet lessons. I hope the book will encourage her to pursue her own dreams, whatever they may be. This is an example of a classic in children's literature. It can be read again and again and has life lessons for the young and the old.

this story really did move me !saddness ,joy ,hatred and above all pity and love for the faithful Inav Petrovitch,the loving Natasha ,the spitful Prince and the Proud little Nellie! such books are written only once in a lifetime of a special Genius ,wounderfull .

My first Dostoyevsky work, and the best I've read so far. Do not miss it! I was lucky enough to get this book as a gift from a relative in Belarus. The translation captures Dostoyevsky exctremely well. In simplistic terms, this is a "love story," Dostoyevsky style. That discription does not do it justice, though. Do not be turned off, this is NOT Danielle Steele or some other WalMart romance brand. The emotion is subtle, but gripping. The characters are such that a reader will relate to this story intimately. You will not be able to tear yourself away from this tale of human weakness as it appears on so many levels and in such provoking form. A must have for a fan of great Russian literature.

Fans of Fyodor Mikailovich, don't miss this one! A jewel of a story which gripped me from the first page, with the death of the old man's dog, to the last, with (read it and see).

Little Nellie, a relatively minor character, could fill a whole book by herself. Other characters are familiar, but even better (if possible) versions of those from his more widely-read works. The Aloysha/Myshkin character, vivid and true-to-life, shows the destructive side of innocence in a way that his dopplegangers have not. Every person in this story is so real I felt I already knew them all.

The story involves irresistable passion, unbearable sorrow, gentle love unswayed by ruinous insult, and the impossibility and inevitability of forgiveness. Multiple conflicting emotions battle it out in every breast. I have read this book at least five times. I can't recommend it enough.

This review is not going to be long and drawn out. Quite simply this is the best book I have read dealing with the Russian mafia. It deals very extensively with Mr. Serio's experiences in the former Soviet Union. The only thing better then reading this book would be to take one of his classes or attend one of his lectures. Either way, this is a must for anyone wanting to take a look into the rising global power that is the Russian mafia. Enjoy, and buy two copies! It makes a great gift if you've got organized crime investigators as friends.

WHAT IF SCENARIOS

Joseph Serio is no neophyte when it comes to the obfuscation of Soviet and Russian crime and justice statistics. His internship tenure at the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) and his earlier book, USSR Crime Statistics and Summaries: 1989 and 1990, (OICJ Press, 1992) provide critical insights into the processes of compiling, replication and analysis of crime statistics by the Communist and post-Communist governments. It is clear that the central dilemma of what we know - or think we know - about the Russian mafia is intimately connected to the business of the production and consumption of information (impression management). This book is not your standard remuneration of comparative statistics and turgid didactic of comparative crime. Rather, it launches into a cognitive challenge at deciphering historical demographics, national character, culture, mores and, importantly, how to create what if scenarios in the quest of defining and better understanding both the Western purview and the Russian mafia of today. This book is one of the finest examples of contextualizing the content and embodiment of Russian Mafia available. It belongs on the desk of every dedicated analyst, researcher, and critical essayist studying the gut and underbelly of organized crime in the context of our post-modern times.

Jess Maghan, PhD
Chester, CT

This is an important book, not only because it tells us something about the state of affairs in Russia, but also because it gives insight into things popular history is content to pass over. We like labels and select details that fit comfortable paradigms. We want bite-sized stories of human drama from the media that fit, rather than question, our preconceived notions. But history is messier than this and books should go beyond the obvious. They are a chance to get it right. That's exactly what Joe Serio tries to do. He lived in the former Soviet Union for seven years witnessing the country and culture form many different angles. He was the only American to work in the Organized crime Control Department of the Soviet police and has been a consultant to "The New York Times," "The Washington Post," CNN and the BBC. He also played harmonica in a Russian rock `n roll band.

As comprehensive as this book is (with footnotes, flow charts and a thorough index) it is very readable. It is divided into three parts. The first deals with the term "mafia" as applied to the Soviets, the nature and number of crime groups in that country, and the role of the media. Part two examines key issues in the rise of criminal organizations and gives some perspective from the past 400 years that helps us understand the long-term context of the problem. Part three takes a close look at criminal organizations, business, and law enforcement--three spheres inextricably linked in a struggle for power in Russia. I love it when the author says, "There's little in the former Soviet Union that can't be found in the West including organized crime, extensive corruption, fraud, demoralizing poverty and biased media." In other words a look at this other side of the world also gives us a glimpse in the mirror at ourselves.

He explains that in the Russian language, there are two different adjectives for what appears in English as the single word "Russian." The first, "russkii," means humble, homely, sacred--it is definitely feminine. The second, "rossiiskii," is grandiose, cosmopolitan and secular--it is masculine. This latter term stems from nationhood formed by empire building. We Americans (who are pretty good at heart) understand this dichotomy, particularly when our own country is disdained by others because of its role as superpower and self-proclaimed enemy of terrorism. An idealistic, military role our political leaders embrace that seems at odds with the less presumptuous values of the "common man." In any case, Serio's point in addressing the "mafia" label is that, "the invasion of the mafia that was spoken of so often was really a cancer that grew from within the rotting body of the host organism." It is precisely the country's flawed structure that makes crime in the former Soviet Union so dangerous: "The major problem was that the rules of the mafia-like Communist Party and the rules of the traditional criminal world became the rules of the whole society."

I can remember in the early seventies visiting Sofia, Bulgaria, and seeing first hand the godfather-like authority of party officials extending far beyond the governmental system or their official positions. Why wouldn't that remain and, in fact, assume even greater importance when the political structure collapsed? And so the criminal underworld and the criminal upperworld started to merge. Of course that kind of oppression knows no boundaries, and it seems to me the only way to fight it is to more thorough better understanding. The Soviet Union was never a superpower. It had military strength but not the infrastructure (that was sacrificed to build that military strength). It was convenient for our politicians to identify those people as "the enemy" but various populations of the USSR were (and continue to be) its victims. Rather than a cut and dried, the good vs. the bad scenario, players today are "hopelessly entangled in a game where the line between legality and illegality is far from clear."


I don't know what that means for businesses, tourists, and even governments who now interact with that part of the world, but comprehending the past, understanding the larger context of existing problems and appreciating the things that keep us in ignorance of one another, is a start.