Discovering Russia

To many people, Russia remains as enigmatic today as it was during the Iron Curtain era. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the country had an opportunity to face its tortured past. Here, Brent asks - why didn't this happen? To answer such a question, he draws on 15 years of unprecedented access to high level Soviet archives. He shows readers a Russia where, in 1992, women sold used toothbrushes on the street to survive, yet now the shops are filled with luxury goods. Brent encounters Stalin's spectre through these changes and takes readers deep inside his archives.

Over 200 years, journalists explored Russia to gather enough information so that Americans could form valid opinions about that infamous “riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” Each generation of American writers rediscoveredRussia as national interest in the country waxed and waned. Discovering Russiadescribes the work of well-known journalists like John Reed, Walter Duranty, Harrison Salisbury, Hedrick Smith and David Remnick as well as remarkable characters whose names and work are nearly forgotten. The cast includes brave reporters, sycophants, naive pilgrims and one reporter-spy. The author concludes that the sum of the journalism done under difficult conditions proved to be remarkably valid, giving Americans the information to form their opinions about Russia. Murray Seeger is a veteran journalist who has worked in Washington, Asia and Europe and who has studied Russia over 40 years. Of his reporting fromMoscow, Time Magazine said, he “offers cross-cultural information in the style of Alistair Cooke.” Seeger was a Nieman Fellow in Journalism at Harvard University, won a Loeb Award for reporting economics and has written for many magazines in addition to major newspapers.

Highlights the geography, people, food, schools, recreation, celebrations, and language of Russia.

This book explores Russia’s sense of its own uniqueness and the impact this has had on Russia’s conduct of international relations. Examining concepts such as Russia’s special civilising mission, its difference from the West, its proneness to conduct violent warfare, and more, and discussing these concepts in relation to Russia’s history and its present behaviour, and also in relation to other countries’ views of themselves as exceptional, the book highlights Russia’s sense of its own identity as a key factor shaping current international events.

Introduction to Russia and Russian life and culture

DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Russia will lead you straight to the best attractions this diverse country has to offer. From the majestic cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg to the sandy beaches of the Baltic Coast and from the lush Volga Delta to the snowcapped Caucasus Mountains, explore the largest country in Europe. Experience the grandeur of the Kremlin, the Palace Embankment in St. Petersburg, and the historic sights in the Olympic city of Sochi, immerse yourself in the flavors of the local cuisine, and don't miss out on the world-famous Russian Ballet. Discover DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Russia. + Detailed itineraries and "don't-miss" destination highlights at a glance. + Illustrated cutaway 3-D drawings of important sights. + Floor plans and guided visitor information for major museums. + Guided walking tours, local drink and dining specialties to try, things to do, and places to eat, drink, and shop by area. + Area maps marked with sights. + Detailed city maps each include a street finder index for easy navigation. + Insights into history and culture to help you understand the stories behind the sights. + Hotel and restaurant listings highlight DK Choice special recommendations With hundreds of full-color photographs, hand-drawn illustrations, and custom maps that illuminate every page, DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Russia truly shows you what others only tell you.

Now available in PDF format. DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Russia, a new title in the award-winning DK Eyewitness Travel guidebook series, showcases the best of this diverse country, from the majestic cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg to the sandy beaches of the Baltic Coast and from the lush Volga delta to the snow-capped Caucasus Mountains. Using unique illustrated maps and 3-D cutaway drawings of key locations, travelers can discover the grandeur of the Kremlin, the Palace Embankment in St. Petersburg, and the historic sights in the Olympic city of Sochi-nearly 100 illustrations in all. Throughout, special features illuminate Russia's history and cultural heritage, local cuisine, and experiences sure to last a lifetime, like where to watch the world-famous Russian Ballet. Full-color maps, city plans, and thematic tours and walks enable travelers to explore the country region-by-region, as well as when traveling in the main cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg. Hotel and restaurant listings include DK Choice recommendations, and the practical trip-planning section covers visa information, air and train travel, when to go to Russia, and so much more. With hundreds of full-color photographs, hand-drawn illustrations, and custom maps that illuminate every page, DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Russia truly shows you this country as no other guidebook can.