In rereading this book I was struck by what a wonderful thing it was that these rank and file workers were able to change history by creating, out of their struggle, an example of revolutionary unionism. It was wonderful for them and is wonderful for us, because it shows what we can do today. This book also tells the story of how Farrell Dobbs learned that he could trust in both the fighting capacity of the working class and the leadership capabilities of its vanguard. Through powerful examples Dobbs describes the dog-eat-dog viciousness of capitalism and contrasts it with the desire on the part of young fighters to break through the backstabbing and open up a road to workers' solidarity. This book could change your life.

Dobbs, a leader of the 1934 Minneapolis Teamster strike, which became a citywide general strike, tells its story. The battles with the companies, cops, strike breakers, and their hangers-on are told with masterful effect. It also shows the rising industrial unions as organizations of working-class struggle, taking on the employers and its government. But the real gem at the heart of this tale is how the unfolding struggle transformed ordinary workers, including Dobbs himself, into extraordinary fighters, thinkers, and revolutionary leaders.

To any working person who wants to know how to fight the bosses and win, you have to read this book. The author, Farrell Dobbs, was born into a working-class family in Missouri in 1907, worked his way into a management job, started his own business, and hoped to go to law school and become a judge. But his plans were cut short by the great depression of the 1930s. In 1933, he found himself working in a Minneapolis coal yard and met coworkers who asked him to join an effort to organize the workers into a branch of the Teamsters union. The rest is history. In 1934, Dobbs played a central role as the members of Teamsters Local 574 carried out a series of three dramatic strikes that succeeded in making Minneapolis a union town. To do this, they had to battle the boss-led Citizens Alliance, the police, the top Teamster bureaucrats, as well as a "friend of labor" Governor, who talked out of both sides of his mouth. This book gives a blow-by-blow account of all of this, and is a real handbook for how to conduct a strike effectively. Key to their victory was a union leadership that included members of the Communist League of America, a revolutionary socialist group, which later became the Socialist Workers Party, which Dobbs joined and led on a national level for decades. If you like this book, you'll also want to read the three other books in Dobbs' Teamster series, Teamster Power, Teamster Politics and Teamster Bureaucracy.

This is possibly the only book that captures the essence of Tarkovsky even better than his own "Sculpting in Time", which is surely one of the greatest film theory books ever written. Extremely personal, the diaries offer a close-up view of T., from daily minutiae to spiritual and emotional crises. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to anyone who loves Tarkovsky.

At this time, this book book *is* in print in the UK, and is available from Amazon.com's British sister site, Amazon.co.uk.

Andrei Tarkovsky Diaries are real, 1st hand exprience from a talented writer and great cinematographer. He is giving reader a very real exprience from Russia in years 1970-1986. I wished I could read this book in it's original language when I felt it too close to my soul, and I wished pages never ended when I finished this book. Read it even if you are not a movie goer or watched none of his movies.

This is an excellent book that provides the non-experienced and experienced Tarkovsky viewer entry into the wonderful worlds in which he lived.

I learned so much about revolutionary Russia and a different way of life from this book. Reading Ms. Percival's life story was intriguing--full of happy reunions and sad partings. The book really makes you realize that people are the same all over the world. This story of a young girl's long journey to America will inspire you and make you cry.

This memorable book gives us the memoirs of an 88 year old first time novelist, Nora Lourie Percival. This is far and away the best book I have read in years. It is an interesting and compelling story of a child growing up in and then escaping from Communist Russia. It is wonderfully written and historically significant. The rich descriptive narrative is a pleasure to read and to hear read (my husband and I read it aloud to one another). I found myself continually rereading passages purely for the purpose of savoring the author's exquisite use of language; I have read few contemporary writers whose use of language is as skillful and as sensitive as is this writer's. This is a book to be added to the family library and to be re-read throughout the years. It is an absorbing, heartbreaking and uplifting true story of a child and her family's survival of the Russian Revolution. The reader is grabbed by the first pages and his interest is held throughout. I've bought several to give as gifts. I would recommend it to anyone! It is truly marvelous.

Nora Percival's book vies with Frank McCourt's book as an honest, heart-wrenching memoir. It is a book every American needs to read and it one of the finest books of this decade.

For most Americans World War II is John Wayne, Tom Hanks, D-Day, and Pearl Harbor. The plucky British gave a hand now and then and the ungrateful French needed us once more to pull their goose-fat from the fire. Oh yes, it snowed a lot on the Eastern Front. Yet, more than a cursory examination of the Second World War shows even first year history students that the Atlantic Theatre was very much a Russo-German War, with the Western Front playing a secondary role. The Russian story of the Great Patriotic War has not imprinted itself on the American popular imagination. Even less known is the role played in that great struggle by Russia's women.

Over 800,000 women served their Motherland in World War II, nearly 200,000 of them decorated. 89 of those women eventually received Russia's highest award, the Hero of the Soviet Union. Reina Pennington's book tells the story of Russia's airwomen during World War II with the passion of a best selling novel. Yet, the well documented footnotes and thorough Appendix attest to the research that has gone into this scholarly work.

Pennington's book focuses on three female regiments formed by Soviet hero, Marina Raskova, but also gives insight into women who served in mostly male regiments. She provides a gripping account that will satisfy those hearing about the USSR's airwomen for the first time, as well as adding new information about command struggles within the fighter regiment.

The story of 46th Guards Night Bomber Aviation Regiment, staffed through the entire war completely with women pilots, navigators, mechanics and commanding officers, makes any current debates about the suitability of women in combat seem like a convocation of the flat earth society. These women settled that debate long ago. Pennington quotes Soviet test pilot and HSU Mark Gallai on what it was like for the women bombers to fly their missions in the outdated biplanes to which they were assigned:

"It means coming under fire from anti-aircraft weapons of every calibre...it means enemy night fighters, blinding searchlights and often bad weather, too; low cloud, fog, snow, ice, and gales that throw a light aircraft from one wingtip to the other...all this in a Po-2, which is small, slow and as easily set alight as a match."

Yet, these women, averaging 5-15 flights a night(more in the winter, less in the summer), surviving on 2-4 hours of sleep a day for four years, managed to fly over 24,000 sorties, drop 23,000 tons of bombs, and account for 23 Hero of the Soviet Union awards.

Up to this point English language readers interested in the heroic stories of these women have had the excellent works of Kazimiera Cottam ("Women in Air War," "Women in War and Resistance")and the interesting interviews conducted by Anne Noggle ("A Dance with Death"). Yet, as important as these works are, none attempts to tell the story of Soviet airwomen as a complete narrative. Pennington weaves the individual tales of these women into a fabric that is compelling in its humanity. Hers is the story of ordinary women in extraordinary times who achieved what today seems impossible. They gave the full measure of their devotion in a valiant fight that deserves to be known. Reina Pennington's "Wings, Women, & War" does honor and justice to the stories of these women.

I read this book cover to cover on Friday (in the office, door shut, looking very busy). Living with WW 2 aviation everyday through the collection of fighter aircraft we restore and fly in England, it is easy to become a little blasé about the way people lived their extraordinary lives in that time. This book hauled me right up by the collar all over again.

It is remarkable - the pages turn as easily as reading the most engrossing novel and yet this is clearly a thoroughly researched review of these womens' history. I am utterly impressed. To communicate passion for a subject while speaking with such authority - the authority that can only come with knowing and understanding a subject as well as Pennington does - is so rare.

Having read almost every single book available in the narrow field that covers these Soviet women, I belive this book sets the new benchmark.

If only history could always be communicated like this!

This is an important book which dispells the usual misconceptions about women in combat in general and Soviet airwomen's contribution in particular. The chapter on Soviet women fighter pilots is especially valuable. Through personal interaction with several surviving former members of the 586th Fighter Regiment, especially its second permanent commander Aleksandr Gridnev, Pennington has gained a lot of inside knowledge pertaining to this regiment, the most controversial of the three combat units formed by Marina Raskova, the "Soviet Amelia Earhart." This reader was surprised to encounter six misspelled Russian and Ukrainian place names in the book. In addition, the name of the first chief of staff in the 125th "M.M. Raskova" Borisov Dive Bomber Regiment has been rendered as "Militsiya Kazarinova" instead of "Militsa Kazarinova." However, these misspellings can still be corrected using an errata slip affixed to the inside of the back cover of the book.

When Gregori Rasputin and the Russian Imperial Family are killed in the early 1900's, a conspiracy to take over the Russian throne by the evil monk dies with them. But decades later a valuable letter written by the Czarina is discovered. It alludes to a vast treasure, and sparks the hopes of the Russian people that a Czar will come to lead them to prosperity. When an American college student accidentally discovers the treasure, he is proclaimed Czar despite his protests. The young man is the focus of one struggle after the other. He becomes the central figure between Russia and the rebel state of Chechnia, Russia and the U.S., and the communist faction that just won't quit. Help comes from the most unexpected source. While the young man wrestles with his desire to return home, he finds courage he didn't know he had, and even discovers the love of his life. Will the Russian people get the Czar they've been looking for? Was it from God? You decide . . .

AMERICAN CZAR was featured in the May 2000 edition of ForeWord Magazine.

Here is what they had to say:

"...Written by a master story-teller, Martin tells a tale that is difficult to put down, yet at the same time, is a quick read with true-to-life characters and circumstances which relate to everyone no matter where they live."

Brenda Ramsbacher, ForeWord Magazine, May 2000.

" . . .

AMERICAN CZAR is rich with human truths of people dreaming of a better life. As John quickly learns, sometimes it's the ordinary people who can do extraordinary things if only given a chance. Written by a master story-teller, Martin tells a tale that is difficult to put down, yet at the same time, is a quick read with true-to-life characters and circumstances which relate to everyone no matter where they live."

Brenda Ramsbacher, ForeWord Magazine, May 2000.

A fabulous book!! No one could ask for a better read, late at night, with the blankets tucked around one, and a hot buttered rum at one's side!!

Chekhov was a man!!

This is one of the best books I have ever read on any subject. It is NOT just a collection of Chekhov's letters, but a complete outline of his life and thought -- just as the title promises!

Simon Karlinsky is, of course, a treasure to the world of literature. His knowledge of Russian history and literature is profound -- and you will find this book utterly fascinating if only because of its scathing analysis of 19th-century Russian critics, the most myopic of men -- and the unwitting forerunners of the even more myopic partisans of "Socialist Realism." It was against these titanic mental pygmies that Chekhov had to make his artistic way -- and the pygmies misunderstood and and libelled him every step of the way.

Chekhov was a highly original literary genius whom the world is still discovering. Enjoy this book, and enjoy your invitation to the even greater pleasure of reading Chekhov himself. The Modern Library has published three volumes of his stories, and they are wonderful. The plays are also superb.

Highest recommendation!

There are many biographies of Chekhov, including the new one by Rayfield, but this edition of the letters is the best source of the writer's life and thought. Long out of print, it was wise of Northwestern University Press to re-issue this book. The other editions of the letters, by Hellman and another by Yarmolinsky, cannot compare.
This volume is valuable for its superb, lengthy introduction, which is a capsule biography. In addition, each of the fifteen sections are introduced by an engaging biographical headnote.
The letters themselves are the record of an extraordinary person, a man who instructed other writers to succeed in their work by feeling "compassion down to their fingertips."
This book shows the emotions and thoughts of the writer who lived that simple but wise piece of advice.
Among the more amusing letters is the one to his wastrel brother, in March 1886, in which he wittily enumerates the qualities of well-bred people. Among them: "They don't guzzle vodka on any old occasion, nor do they go around sniffing cupboards....They shun all ostentation: empty barrels make the most noise."
This volume is full of such humorous but sage advice, and reveals the man behind the extraordinary short stories and plays better than any biography.
You will remember some of the letters in this book throughout your lifetime.

The first target of Stalin's murder machine was the thousands of communist workers who supported the left opposition of Leon Trotsky. In the Soviet Union the human continuity of real Marxism was broken by Stalin, but the political program remains today. An important part of this program is collected in this book, which analyzes the early tendencies of the bureaucratic machine that was beginning to supplant revolutionary Marxism. Trotsky brilliantly analyzes the first fruits of Stalin's narrow world outlook in the years following the defeat of the German Revolution of 1923. On the domestic front, he points to the need to build an alliance of the working class and peasantry. Within the party, he calls for democratic discussion to replace lies and slander. Now, with the collapse of Stalinism coinciding with a disastrous crisis of capitalism, is a good time to check out these articles by Trotsky.

This book consists of talks and articles by the leader of the fight to keep the Soviet Union on a revolutionary course from 1923 through 1925. Lenin's perspective of extending revolution world-wide clashed with the views of the nationalist, bureaucratic caste growing within the USSR, led by Stalin. Lenin sought Trotsky's collaboration to oppose Stalin's political and organizational transgressions and remove him from the position of Communist Party General Secretary.

But a stroke felled Lenin in the spring of 1923 and he remained incapacitated until his death early in 1924. It was left to Trotsky to lead the fight for Marxism - Leninism against its negation: Stalinism.

This volume marks the beginning of the struggle Trotsky launched at Lenin's insistence to oppose Stalin, Bukharin and others who adapted to middle class bureaucratic layers in Russia and began to turn the young Soviet Union away from the revolutionary communist road Lenin had led it on, onto the bureaucratic degeneration that became known as Stalinism. Covered here are how to fight bureaucracy--is it an administrative or social economic problem--the real history of the Russian revolution, and so much more. This is required reading for fighters in the former USSR, in China, Vietnam and other countries trying to fight their way out of the debris of the Stalinist regimes. This is a great asset for Cuban fighters to understand that Fidel and Che's fight against bureaucratism was not the first.

Pelevin gets deeper into reality--or maybe just questioning reality-- with each novel. I love that every plot point, even name and character could be completely crucial, or could not matter at all, simply depending on what you get out of the novel. His delicately detached protagonist (aptly named Voyd) reminds me of Murakami Haruki's pasta-making anti-heroes (who in fact turn out to be heroes after all). Most importantly, perhaps, I could probably read this book again and get something new and different out of it.

I read it in Russian. It's an amazing book. I am ordering an English translation out of curiousity. In my opinion, it is beyond translation (you will still have a lot of fun but unless you know Russian history and culture you will miss a lot of its power!) There is so much subtle beauty and deep meaning... + icredible humor -- even though it is a very profound piece of art, that explores the most mysterious puzzles of life. READ IT!

I'm rarely impressed with "absurd" books - in many of them, the plot and the message seems to disappear in all the weirdness, and the authors often seem to take easy ways out. Not so with Pelevin. This contemporary Russian writer has written a delightfully weird and sometimes hysterically funny book - I still haven't figured out what exactly it is he's trying to say, but I have a feeling there's something there...it's an impossible book to describe, but one that leaves you wanting to recommend it to everyone. Try it.

Having read two of Geoffrey Roberts' other books, I was eagerly awaiting the publication of "Victory at Stalingrad". My grandfather was killed in Stalingrad so I had a personal interest in reading about this period of the war. I was not disappointed. Roberts details the events of this amazing period of World War II with great understanding and does full justice to the true significance of the battle and the people who lost their lives.

Anyone interested in the history of World War II should read this book. In less than 200 pages Geoffrey Roberts analyzes the battle of Stalingrad and places it in the context of the entire war. In addition to providing a balanced, concise, and informative account of the battle and its importance, the book includes such valuable features as a chronology of the battle, 11 maps, a glossary of military terms, biographical notes on the main participants, and an invaluable guide to further reading.

Describing the American Civil war the then president described it as a fiery trial. Geoffrey Roberts has given us an account of another fiery trial. The book is an excellent read, describing not only the victory at Stalingrad but a short gripping account of the conflict on the eastern front. It is brief and to the point as well as having a factual analysis of the historical event.

I think this author was trying to get some [easy] recognition with the title he chose, maybe making the reader think it was similar to the Kessler book Moscow Station. Unfortunately for this author that is where the similarity ends. The author was the KGB station Chief for the Washington D.C. USSR embassy for a number of years during the cold war. He promises on the dust jacket to provide the reader with an inside account of the methods of the station and a run down of the missions they took part in.

The author does a good job in providing the reader with many of the interesting tradecraft bit about the KGB in the U.S. and how they operated in Washington D.C. against the FBI. The author also does give us some insight to a few of the operations that the KGB ran; it just seams to me that this is a sanitized version of the events. I wanted more details on the intelligence they were able to gather and more of the operations they ran. I finished the book think this was a nice first step, but a fuller "confession" was needed.

Overall, the book is adequately written and does not drag or stumble. If you are interested in KGB operations in the U.S. then this is a nice start, but definitely the definitive account

fantastic! informative! riveting! find out what really went on during thoze years in th CIA & KGB. one of the best books i have ever read.

This book offers a glimpse into the mind of an ex-KGB agent. It is amazing to learn how truely disorganized the KGB was during the cold war.