Siberia Bound: Chasing the American Dream on Russia's Wild Frontier

Book Description

Fresh out of college with a degree in economics, young Alexander Blakely is drawn to frozen, desolate Siberia by the promise of love and the idealistic urge to bring capitalism to the former Soviet Union. What he finds in the middle of a small town on the vast tundra of Siberia is an unexpected romance, an opportunistic Russian business partner and a new free-market system manipulated by the same people who drove the crumbling communist system into the ground. Blakely and his partner finagle their way into a fledgling distribution business and build a successful company, ultimately dealing in everything from condoms to cocoa beans. In his four years in Siberia, Blakely comes to adore the people and the place. But as success changes those around him, the lure of capitalism changes the Siberia he loved. Materialism and comfort—the very things he rejects at home but promotes abroad—arrive in Siberia, with profound and disturbing costs. Blakely's story is one of coming of age, but it also dramatizes a clash of cultures and paints a haunting portrait of a fascinating and very specific time and place—Siberia just after the fall of communism.

Customer Reviews:

Capitalist Missionary.......2005-11-16

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 with a brand new university degree in economics. He became interested in the economics, especially capitalism, as the Soviet Union was collapsing. But it might have been just 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.

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.

Return of the Great American Novel.......2005-05-05

If you haven't read Siberia Bound - you should. This book restored my faith that America can produce authors on a level with Scott Guggenheim and Arash Padahn. This book exudes a heightened sense of awareness of what it means to be American in a foreign land - a concept oft forgotten in today's gingoistic USA - and above all, what it means to be part of the larger community. Humanity.

Kudos to Blakely. This work is epic.

Russian Travelogue.......2005-04-05

Excellent book. The story revolves around 4 years that the author spends in Siberia, in the midst of the country's transition to capitalism. The book gives the reader an appreciation for both the country and the people. His story exposes an alternate culture to our own, complete with ideosyncracies, such as sniffing bread while drinking vodka... I particularly liked the author's style which was descriptive, yet easy to read and humorous. Most importantly, the book helps us realize that there is much more going on in the world than we are exposed to through watching TV & exploring only our immediate environment. I hope the author writes another book, in spite of returning to the US.

Very Interesting Read.......2005-03-31

I stumbled across this book while looking for books on the Aral Sea and thought it sounded interesting. I found the writing, descriptions of life, and the adventures very interesting. I would be very interested in a follow-up book since at the end of the book we learn he is living in San Francisco. I can envision a Siberia - San Francisco comparison and perhaps his wife's thoughts on life in San Francisco area. Thanks and it was well worth my time to read.

Thanks NPR and the other reviewers. A good find!!.......2004-01-22

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.

Book Description

This work covers the growing economic and cultural split between rural and urban America. The author addresses the following issues: the "rural-urban wars" over land use, control of water, cheap food policy, trade, the use of chemicals and pesticides, animal rights, the bias in urban-dominated media, corruption in food marketing and distribution, what is happening to the land, and who the largest landowners are. In this book, Waterfield suggests that rural America's share of national wealth is declining and that America is the world's best hope for solving the problems of hunger and rural poverty.

Average customer rating:

Conflict and crisis in rural America
Larry W. Waterfield
Manufacturer: Praeger
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O8V0TI

Book Description

Each chapter includes a brief summary lab exercise description procedures and appropriate worksheets.

Book Description

Dan Snyder narrowly escaped being cut from his junior hockey team for two years in a row. That

Customer Reviews:

Compelling story!.......2007-06-01

For those who were exposed only to the negative news stories of this event, and formed an opinion about the incident based on those stories, this book is must-read! The book focuses on reporting the facts of the accident, the emotions of all involved and describes the character of both of the players. I especially admired the Snyders family and their refusal to do anything but forgive Dany Heatley. The judge that presided over the legal proceedings gives one hope for our justice system. Based on personal experience, I can attest that the judge's assertion that Heatley will never be able to forget this accident is true, and is punishment enough.

I hope I could be like the Snyders.......2007-01-15

I was given this book by a friend without knowing anything about Dan Snyder or Danny Heatley. What an amazing story about two pretty impressive young men. After reading it, I wish I could have known Dan Snyder. I hope that if I were ever in this situation (heaven forbid), I would do what the Snyders did. In our litigious society, they are absolutely amazing people.

The only negative about this book is that there are so many names dropped in along the way that I couldn't keep them all straight. The name dropping distracted me from the story itself.

I wish the Snyders all the best.

Not just for hockey fans. .......2006-01-01

A tragic tale well told. This book is a fitting tribute to the memory of Dan Snyder and the way his parents forgave Danny Heatley for his death.

More than a hockey book ..........2005-12-15

The title of my review says it all, this is more than a hockey book ... it's more of a book that plumbs the depths of human emotions and explores the ties that bind young men. Yes, hockey is the background, but it easily could've been about other subjects.

Manasso does a fantastic job delving into the relationship between Snyder and Heatley and investigates why this on-the- surface "odd couple" (one was a star whose skill allowed him to be handed everything and the other was a mucker who needed every bit of Moxie to achieve his dream) became such best friend and how every twist and turn of their lives brought the two together.

If you don't feel touched by the way Manasso describes the fateful events and the grief and sorrow that it brings on to households as well as a National Hockey League franchise, then you are without a soul.

Well worth it.......2005-12-14

This is a great book. I'm not a huge hockey fan but I felt awful about this tragedy. This book describes the family's amazing ability to forgive, despite such a tragic loss. I enjoyed the sneak peak into what goes on among teammates and seeing the more personal side of hockey. Very well written.

Book Description

Designed for intermediate through advanced learners of Spanish, this workbook provides a comprehensive selection of exercises that cover essential structures in Spanish. Covering both Peninsular and Latin American Spanish, Practicing Spanish Grammar can be used independently or in conjunction with your regular course text.

Book Description

This influential turn-of-the-century typographic sourcebook includes 25 complete copyright-free alphabets and over 2,000 monograms plus symbols, shields and coats of arms for many societies and trades, more. Index.

Customer Reviews:

New Mindsets and New Profits from Ex-Customers.......2006-03-11

Businesses put high time allocation on obtaining new customers but drop the ball on keeping and reinstating customers. The author, George R. Walther, sheds a river of light on this untapped resource and goldmine.

Mindsets need to be changed about complaining customers. They are not your enemy. They should be viewed as "partners" who are in trouble and need a friendly bit of attention. The benefits are astounding. A thoroughly satisfied complainer is nine times more likely to buy from you again than the average. The cost of obtaining a new prospect is much higher than satisfying a continual customer. Complainers not handled can destroy your market. Complainers can give you valuable research information that would otherwise cost thousands. Walther shares successful approaches in dealing with the unhappy customer.

The reasons customers leave is another side to this equation. Most unhappy customers leave and don't say a word. Two thirds of these cite the reason as indifference showed by the company. Every effort should be made to re-assume this customer for a win-win situation.

This book could have been more popular if it had an understandable title.

Five Stars

Upside-Down Marketing: Turning Your Ex-Customers Into Your Best Customers

Average customer rating:

Upside-Down Marketing: Turning Your Ex-Customers Into Your Best Customers
George R. Walther
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OFL3KM

Average customer rating:

Upside-Down Marketing: Turning Your Ex-Customers into Your Best Customers
George R. Walther
Manufacturer: Mcgraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OFL4B0

Book Description

[This book is written in Japanese.]

This book is one of the Tachibana Publishing Future Book Series (Japanese Edition), a series of books with the world’s leading futurists and social analysts. This series looks at future perspectives in a variety of fields- economics, ecology, management, leadership, stock markets, culture, and social issues

Book Description

The concise version of the IEBM is an indispensable reference tool for managers, students and academics. It presents a carefully selected subset of information from the full six volume edition of the acclaimed International Encyclopedia of Business and Management. The entries range from international advertising strategy to women in business and together provide an invaluable overview of current thinking and practice. Comprehensive and global in scope and content, this encyclopedia has been written by leading international experts in the field for use by students, academics, and practising managers worldwide. Authors include: Stewart R Clegg, Peter Walton, Rosalie Tung and Naoto Sasaki.

Concise International Encyclopedia of Business and Management.

Average customer rating:

Concise International Encyclopedia of Business and Management.

Manufacturer: 0
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: B000IBKTC0

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