Twelve Stories of Russia

When a young American moves to Moscow in 1991, he brings with him scant knowledge of the country. In his discovery of Russia he witnesses an unsuccessful coup, an even less successful rebellion, rampant inflation, mafia infighting, and all nature of unprecedented change. "Why is it," his Russian friend asks, "that you Americans smile so much?" Our hero moves among ordinary new Russians, meeting curious characters, trying to drink vodka easily, and interpreting English grammar and other stumbling blocks of Western culture to his new countrymen. His misconceptions about Russia land him in amusing and sometimes dangerous situations, and provide a fresh and thoughtful perspective on Russian culture. New in the Glas series of new Russian writing.