<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: A very accurate and readable book
Review: A Russian diplomat friend insisted I read this book, and even proudly lent me his own personally autographed copy.I didn't have to read more than a page before recognising this as an excellently written book and full of accurate perceptions and truths - Blakely not only does an excellent job of describing the uniqueness of Russia from a foreigner's perspective, but also the uniqueness of the US from a Russian's perspective. Both sets of descriptions are insightful into both cultures. As one that has also been closely involved in Russia (from 1995 onwards) I can confirm his description of the enormous changes that are under way in Russia, and of the bitter sweet fruits of the country's transition to 'freedom' and capitalism. His insightful comments about the US representing a communist ideal, and the USSR representing a capitalist ideal give one pause for thought. His story seems to start in the middle, rather than at the beginning, and leaves a lot out that I'd love to have seen included. But what he does share with us is concentrated and high quality material, and enjoyable for all - for students of Russia, for students of economics, and for students of humanity. I take solace by the massive omissions from his book in the hope that they presage a second volume to follow. I echo the Russian diplomat's strong recommendation. Buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: Thanks NPR and the other reviewers. A good find!!
Review: How refreshing to be treated to a story of a modern adventurist. One of the rare living spirits in todays world who has the guts and passion to take a stab at striking out on his own. Lucky for us, he is also one of the rare individuals with a knack to be able to put it to pen. The author masterly balances his passion with a calm insight to produce subtle observations and quirky annedcotes that draw you in. Each of his varied stories is well told. A fun and engaging read that will leave you pondering.
Rating:
Summary: National Public Radio Was Spot On!
Review: I heard of this book via NPR's show "All Things Considered." They were sharing a list of book suggestions for winter reading. I took them up on Siberia Bound and was enthralled. This book imparted a true sense of Siberia through the eyes of an American. It displayed a sense of reality, not of watered down travelogue writing so commonly found today. Through the eyes of a somewhat skeptical and adventurous entrepreneur, an oppressed Siberian culture embraces both the good and the bad aspects of capitalism. Siberia Bound combines an overview of economic theory put into practice and subtle philopsophical views on the ritual of daily life, with an poignant dose of good old fashioned humor.
Rating: 
Summary: Bringing the Gospel of Capitalism to Siberia
Review: I suppose you could call this a business book, and I did find it in the business section of the bookstore. But it is really a memoir, a travel narrative of sorts, and a love story. Blakely goes to Siberia as an economics graduate. He became interested in the area as the Soviet Union was collapsing. But it might have been a passing interest if he had not fallen in love with a Russian woman on a university-sponsored trip. So when capitalism came to Siberia, he was ready. He had learned Russian and he wanted to be a pioneer of the New Russian Capitalism. Blakely comes across as an optimistic and friendly Minnesotan who is game for anything. He loves the extremes of Siberia: the weather, the hard-drinking, the physical challenges. He and his Russian business partner, Sasha, don't really care what business they get into, as long as they make money. Capitalism for capitalism's sake. Blakely feels like a trail-blazer, bringing nourishing capitalism to the hungry socialists. Blakely's writing style is easy and light, with lots of conversations and no flowery descriptions. He tells us about the food, the social life, the crime, the beauty of Siberia. It's fascinating. Particularly revealing is the description of western missionaries in Siberia, who flood the country along with the capitalists. They impose, cajole, pressure, and trick their way into the Siberians' homes and their souls. Blakely has no patience for them at first, then finds that they are so pervasive that he has to deal with them on occasion. They are as zealous in bringing Christ to the Russians as the capitalists are in bringing free enterprise. Blakely has mixed feelings about the changes capitalism brought to Siberia. He says he knows how Dr. Frankenstein must have felt, as he sees Siberia becoming more like America, with traffic jams and billboards. I think he gives himself a bit too much credit though. Capitalism would have come to Siberia and changed it, with or without Blakely. Still. Siberia Bound is a readable, enjoyable memoir that, along with The Other Side of Russia by Sharon Hudgins, about pre-capitalist Siberia, and So Many Enemies, So Little Time by Elinor Burkett, about post-9/11 Central Asia and beyond, will begin to give you a real picture of how Americans affect and are affected by people on the opposite side of the planet.
Rating:
Summary: Thanks NPR and the other reviewers. A good find!!
Review: I was offended by the authors apparantly huge sales of contraceptions. Russia is the fastest declining population in the world. I guess if I wanted to write as a capitalist without morals, I would say that there was much that was funny and interesting in the book, but now that I've lived in Siberia for almost a year, I don't think things very here.
Rating:
Summary: A great read!
Review: My wife, a Novosibirsk native, bought me this book for father's day. I have spent some time in Novosibirsk myself, so I was intrigued by the subject matter and location. I had some doubts after reading the dustjacket, thinking it might be a dry how-to manual on how to start a business in a hostile environment. I could not have been more wrong.
Mr. Blakely spins a great story about a few years spent in an interesting and exotic place, getting to know the local people and even falling in love. This is anything but dry. Read this book, it is money well-spent. And by the way, he is not kidding about the beauty of Siberian women, they are stunning. I know, I married one myself.
Rating:
Summary: This is a really fun read!
Review: My wife, a Novosibirsk native, bought me this book for father's day. I have spent some time in Novosibirsk myself, so I was intrigued by the subject matter and location. I had some doubts after reading the dustjacket, thinking it might be a dry how-to manual on how to start a business in a hostile environment. I could not have been more wrong.
Mr. Blakely spins a great story about a few years spent in an interesting and exotic place, getting to know the local people and even falling in love. This is anything but dry. Read this book, it is money well-spent. And by the way, he is not kidding about the beauty of Siberian women, they are stunning. I know, I married one myself.
Rating:
Summary: Engaging reading!
Review: Well and justly written. Two thumbs up to the young author.
Rating:
Summary: Wow- A New Appreciation for Living Simply
Review: What a ride! I was hooked by the first page and the following few hundred pages were no dissapointment! I would ration myself to just a couple of chapters a night so I wouldn't "run out". I'm sending it to my father who is a tough critic in the literary world, I'm sure he'll identify with Alexander's search for living the hard yet simple way of life. Nothing can replace good people, good friendships, a challenge...not even a contact coziness that we have here in the US. Thank you!
Rating:
Summary: Siberia Bound
Review: Wonderful book--great story telling. Interesting view of how the author changes and how his ideals are changed through his experiences. We all change after receiving our degrees--most of us don't do that in Russia! I feel like I want to know how the people in this book are doing now--could it be the beginning of something more? Hopefully so. You won't regret reading this one!
<< 1 >>
| 
