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Philsophy and Architecture
July 01, 2007

Philsophy and Architecture

We review Motherland: A Philosophilcal History of Russia, and Russian Architecture and the West, both invaluable books for the Russophile. Plus we note the winner of this year's Rossica Translation Prize. Follow this link for links to purchase books reviewed in this and previous issues.

Spies, Rebels, Ilf & Petrov and a Slynx
May 01, 2007

Spies, Rebels, Ilf & Petrov and a Slynx

A incredible new reference work on spies, an account of the Potemkin mutiny, a 1930s travelogue of the US by two of the greatest Soviet writers, and a novel by Tatyana Tolstaya are the books reviewed this issue. Oh, and several new travel guides as well.

Moscow and Russia
September 01, 2006

Moscow and Russia

A review of a new "biography" of Moscow during WWII and a photo book on Russia.

Tales of Russian Cities & Conservatism
May 01, 2006

Tales of Russian Cities & Conservatism

A review of books on Odessa, Palekh and the roots of Russian conservatism. Plus a few odds and ends, including the winner of a new annual Russian to English Translation prize.

Ivan the Terrible, Disabled Orphans, Chernobyl
March 01, 2006

Ivan the Terrible, Disabled Orphans, Chernobyl

A review of Isabel de Madriaga's "Ivan the Terrible," Ruben Gallego's "White on Black" and Mary Mycio's "Wormwood Forest." Also noted are the new DVD version of Master and Margarita plus two other new books. Follow this link to purchase copies of these books.

Two Book Reviews
November 01, 2005

Two Book Reviews

We review Olga Grushin's "The Dream Life of Sukhanov" and Hugh Barnes' "Gannibal," plus the Russian film "Nochnoy Dozor."

Three Books and a DVD
September 01, 2005

Three Books and a DVD

In this issue's review section, we look at Ludmila Ulitskaya's new novel, "Lyudi Nashevo Tsarya," plus two works of non-fiction: "Moura" and "In the Wake of the Jomon." We also note the release of four works on DVD by Otar Iosseliani, whom we profiled in our Jan/Feb 2004 issue.

Spies, Reindeer, Empresses and Partizans
May 01, 2005

Spies, Reindeer, Empresses and Partizans

Book reviews of Spy Handler, Running with Reindeer, Five Empresses and War in the Wild East. Links are provided here for purchasing these books online.

 

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EVENTS FOR RUSSOPHILES

A Few of Our Books

Fish: A History of One Migration

Fish: A History of One Migration

This mesmerizing novel from one of Russia’s most important modern authors traces the life journey of a selfless Russian everywoman. In the wake of the Soviet breakup, inexorable forces drag Vera across the breadth of the Russian empire. Facing a relentless onslaught of human and social trials, she swims against the current of life, countering adversity and pain with compassion and hope, in many ways personifying Mother Russia’s torment and resilience amid the Soviet disintegration.
The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.  
Murder and the Muse

Murder and the Muse

KGB Chief Andropov has tapped Matyushkin to solve a brazen jewel heist from Picasso’s wife at the posh Metropole Hotel. But when the case bleeds over into murder, machinations, and international intrigue, not everyone is eager to see where the clues might lead.
Jews in Service to the Tsar

Jews in Service to the Tsar

Benjamin Disraeli advised, “Read no history: nothing but biography, for that is life without theory.” With Jews in Service to the Tsar, Lev Berdnikov offers us 28 biographies spanning five centuries of Russian Jewish history, and each portrait opens a new window onto the history of Eastern Europe’s Jews, illuminating dark corners and challenging widely-held conceptions about the role of Jews in Russian history.
Life Stories: Original Fiction By Russian Authors

Life Stories: Original Fiction By Russian Authors

The Life Stories collection is a nice introduction to contemporary Russian fiction: many of the 19 authors featured here have won major Russian literary prizes and/or become bestsellers. These are life-affirming stories of love, family, hope, rebirth, mystery and imagination, masterfully translated by some of the best Russian-English translators working today. The selections reassert the power of Russian literature to affect readers of all cultures in profound and lasting ways. Best of all, 100% of the profits from the sale of this book are going to benefit Russian hospice—not-for-profit care for fellow human beings who are nearing the end of their own life stories.
Driving Down Russia's Spine

Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 
The Little Golden Calf

The Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.
Murder at the Dacha

Murder at the Dacha

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin has a problem. Several, actually. Not the least of them is the fact that a powerful Soviet boss has been murdered, and Matyushkin's surly commander has given him an unreasonably short time frame to close the case.
Faith & Humor: Notes from Muscovy

Faith & Humor: Notes from Muscovy

A book that dares to explore the humanity of priests and pilgrims, saints and sinners, Faith & Humor has been both a runaway bestseller in Russia and the focus of heated controversy – as often happens when a thoughtful writer takes on sacred cows. The stories, aphorisms, anecdotes, dialogues and adventures in this volume comprise an encyclopedia of modern Russian Orthodoxy, and thereby of Russian life.

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