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: Well Worth the Cover Price
Review: Alexander Blakely is an Everyman in post-soviet Capitalist Russia. Part philosopher, part economist, and all-entrepreneur, he gives a detailed description of life in a world where the rules were made up on-the-fly. Along the way, he learns a lot about human nature. It was a journey I'm glad he spent time documenting, and the result is exquisite. This book was funny and had a lot of heart -- easily one of the best books I've read this year. I read it cover-to-cover in a sitting, and afterward I wanted to buy the author a drink. Perhaps even a condo. :)
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: A great read!
Review: I stumbled across this book when researching Russia and at first I thought it would be boring (ie who wants to read about businesses in Siberia?) but I have no regrets that I read this book. It's the rare book that combines humor, a satistfying story, riveting characters and a very interesting look at a culture most Americans don't understand. I would highly recommend it!
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: objective
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: 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: A Page Turner and a Conversation Starter!
Review: The adventure story is riveting! The love story is endearing!
The language is sensory satisfying! The intellectual insights are surprising! I skimmed the story in one weekend,and returned to read each chapter slowly, because I wanted to gather up all the rich nuggets of truth about both America and Siberia. In the following weeks I found myself experiencing "my" America more intensely. Within the story, I found elements of America I wish to treasure, rather than take-for-granted. Sprinkled through the story, I found elements of Siberia that I wish to add to my own American life. Emerging from the story, I found my own questions about values undergirding our form of freedom, democracy, and capitalism. Many of my conversations these last weeks with friends and family have included questions stirred by this story. This story is primarily about a young man, eager to create a life full of zest, deep love and real-life adventure. His willingess to learn with eagerness, decide with courage, and risk for desired goals takes him to a place few of us know anything about. His descriptions take us there - to see the landscape, to hear the daily life conversations of the people, to enjoy the warmth within homes and to gasp at the cold of the long dark winter nights. In my opinion, the measure of this author is that he tells his lively, unique story in a way that guarantees reader enjoyment. In a subtle way, he also stired subtle thoughts within the mind of this reader. In my case, I wish for a back- porch conversation with this writer to hear more about his experiences and dialogue more about my questions.
Rating:
Summary: Engaging reading!
Review: Well and justly written. Two thumbs up to the young author.
| 
