We review four new books: The Secret Plot to Save the Tsar, A Year of Russian Feasts, The Shaman's Coat: A Native History of Siberia, and Beau monde from A to Z.

In this issue we review: "The Complete Works of Isaac Babel," "Valery Gergiev and the Kirov: A Story of Survival," "The Logic of Economic Reform," "Without Vodka," and the annual otrivnoy calendar "Martianoff's 2002 Calendar." 

In which we review two works of fiction, a film, and a volume on Russian treasures.

A review of two books: Sunlight at Midnight, by W. Bruce Lincoln, and Trans-Siberian Hanbook, by Bryn Thomas.

In addition to three books about and by women – in recognition of March 8, International Women’s Day – we inaugurate the addition of vodka reviews to this section of our magazine. The review is one of the reviews from our affiliated website, vodkaphiles.com.

We review a new CD by pianist Arcadi Volodos, and a biography of Boris Berezovsky.

We review Till My Tale is Told, and some online translation software.

We review three books: PU-239 and other Russian Fantasies, Russia Abroad, and The Crime of Olga Arbyelina, and a CD: The Golden Age of the Russian Guitar.

Three books are reviewed: Who Killed Kirov?, Yeltsin's Russia, and The Post-Soviet Handbook.

We review four new books: Moscow Rediscovered, Pushkin: A Biography, Pushkin's Button, and Chronicle of the Russian Tsars.

A review of Resurrection, by David Remnick, and The Agony of the Russian Idea, by Tim McDaniel, and a consideration of Russia's attempt to define and embrace a new National Idea.

A look at recent travel books on Russia that explore travel beyond the capitals.