Stranded in Moscow: An American's Story of Life in the New Russia (Review Copy)

1997, Square Peg Press, Gilbert, AZ. Hardcover volume, 286 pages. Here is the story of an American family of 4 who decided to rent a flat in a Russian neighborhood surrounded by Russian citizens. They are forced to survive in an often difficult environment. "A wonderful book ... an incredible story." "A thrilling primer ... it was like being there."

Never go anywhere with Rick Furmanek, even on a cross-town bus trip. With Furmanek's luck, the driver would probably get lost. Furmanek, a computer specialist, apparently thought it would be fun to work in Russia for a few years. Unfortunately for his wife and two children, this Wrong Way Corrigan dragged them along on these adventures in mayhem. His children become sick. The boy goes to a school where no one is available who can speak English and the poor confused child ends up in a fight. The other child gets ringworm, which doesn't subside until the family returns to the states. Furmanek's family is often the target of various scam artists, surly bureaucrats straight out of Gogol and translator/drivers who seem to think vodka is the breakfast of champions. Furmanek breaks bread unknowingly with a Russian gangster, but doesn't understand why he doesn't want to discuss his business. -- From Independent Publisher

Stranded In Moscow: An American's Story Of Life In The New Russia is the true account of a typical American family of four and their life-changing decision to move to Russia. Determined to absorb as much of the cultural experience as possible, Rick, Robin, and their two small children rent a Russian flat in a Russian neighborhood surrounded by Russian citizens. Novices of the Russian language, they are forced to draw upon extraordinary resources in order to survive Moscow's unpredictable and often volatile climate. Readers will meet educators, mafia bosses, secretaries, politicians, drivers, professionals, clerks, pastors, refugees, expatriates, the young, the old, the affluent, and the lonely -- all living in the realm of the unfathomable and the mundane, the bittersweet joy and the sadness, the tattered hope and the despair that portray life in Moscow. An epilogue briefly describes the events surrounding the murder of Paul Tatum (Rick Furmanek's brother-in-law and the CEO of the American Trade Center in Moscow who was gunned down November 3, 1996 while attempting to thwart a hostile takeover of his multi-million dollar joint-venture by the Russian mafia). Stranded In Moscow puts a human face on the international news coming out of Moscow with the downfall of communism having giving way to the birth pangs of democracy. -- Midwest Book Review