February 26, 2022

Fighting for Truth


Fighting for Truth

State censor Roskomnadzor has notified 10 Russia mass media outlets that they must restrict access to "inaccurate information." The outlets are Ekho Moskvy, InoSMI, Mediazona, The New Times, Dozhd, Svobodnaya Pressa, Krym.Realii, " Novaya Gazeta, Journalist, and Lenizdat.

Roskomnadzor said the publications have published “inaccurate, socially significant information that does not correspond to reality” about the shelling of Ukrainian cities by Russian troops and the death of civilians in Ukraine, as well as “materials in which the ongoing operation is called an attack, an invasion, or a declaration of war.”

If the publications are not removed, Roskomnadzor may block the publications and/or fine them up to five million rubles. According to Roskomnadzor, only “Russian official information sources” disseminate reliable information about the war with Ukraine.

Roskomnadzor objects to the Russian "special military action" being called an attack, an invasion, or a declaration of war, all three of which are the most accurate descriptions of the reality we see unfolding.


Ukrainian flag in windowMeanwhile, Arzamas editor Dmitry Golubovsky has been detained for refusing to remove a poster from his apartment window – a blue and yellow flag of Ukraine that said simply, "No to War."


On February 25, the day after the start of the war, Russian teachers published a petition in which they openly supported the anti-war protests and demanded a ceasefire. At the time of this posts' publication, it had been signed by more than 1,300 teachers from 65 regions of Russia, as well as from other countries.

Said one teacher, in an interview with Meduza, "Of course, I'm afraid to express my protest. But considering the hell is going on in Kyiv right now - literally a day's drive away - it's just shameful to complain about one's own fear."


More than two thousand artists, art historians, architects, producers, curators, musicians, and other cultural figures have signed an open letter against the war with Ukraine. Hundreds of doctors have signed their own letter.


A petition to stop the war has been created on change.org and as of the time of this post it had 700,000 signatures.


The UN General Secretary estimates that over 100,000 Ukrainians have been forced to flee their homes because of the Russian invasion.

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Fish

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.

A Taste of Russia
November 01, 2012

A Taste of Russia

The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.

Murder at the Dacha
July 01, 2013

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.

Driving Down Russia's Spine
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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. 

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The Samovar Murders

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Faith & Humor
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Faith & Humor

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.

Survival Russian
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Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.

Life Stories
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Life Stories

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.

The Moscow Eccentric
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The Moscow Eccentric

Advance reviewers are calling this new translation "a coup" and "a remarkable achievement." This rediscovered gem of a novel by one of Russia's finest writers explores some of the thorniest issues of the early twentieth century.

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