Midnight in Siberia : a train journey into the heart of Russia

Travels with NPR host David Greene along the Trans-Siberian Railroad capture an overlooked, idiosyncratic Russia in the age of Putin. Far away from the trendy cafés, designer boutiques, and political protests and crackdowns in Moscow, the real Russia exists. __Midnight in Siberia__ chronicles David Greene’s journey on the Trans-Siberian Railway, a 6,000-mile cross-country trip from Moscow to the Pacific port of Vladivostok. In quadruple-bunked cabins and stopover towns sprinkled across the country’s snowy landscape, Greene speaks with ordinary Russians about how their lives have changed in the post-Soviet years. These travels offer a glimpse of the new Russia—a nation that boasts open elections and newfound prosperity but continues to endure oppression, corruption, a dwindling population, and stark inequality. We follow Greene as he finds opportunity and hardship embodied in his fellow train travelers and in conversations with residents of towns throughout Siberia. We meet Nadezhda, an entrepreneur who runs a small hotel in Ishim, fighting through corrupt layers of bureaucracy every day. Greene spends a joyous evening with a group of babushkas who made international headlines as runners-up at the Eurovision singing competition. They sing Beatles covers, alongside their traditional songs, finding that music and companionship can heal wounds from the past. In Novosibirsk, Greene has tea with Alexei, who runs the carpet company his mother began after the Soviet collapse and has mixed feelings about a government in which his family has done quite well. And in Chelyabinsk, a hunt for space debris after a meteorite landing leads Greene to a young man orphaned as a teenager, forced into military service, and now figuring out if any of his dreams are possible. __Midnight in Siberia__ is a lively travel narrative filled with humor, adventure, and insight. It opens a window onto that country’s complicated relationship with democracy and offers a rare look into the soul of twenty-first-century Russia. Far away from the trendy cafes, designer boutiques, and political protests and crackdowns in Moscow, the real Russia exists. Midnight in Siberia chronicles David Greene's journey on the Trans-Siberian Railway, a 6,000-mile cross-country trip from Moscow to the Pacific port of Vladivostok. In quadruple-bunked cabins and stopover towns sprinkled across the country s snowy landscape, Greene speaks with ordinary Russians about how their lives have changed in the post-Soviet years. These travels offer a glimpse of the new Russia a nation that boasts open elections and newfound prosperity but continues to endure oppression, corruption, a dwindling population, and stark inequality. We follow Greene as he finds opportunity and hardship embodied in his fellow train travelers and in conversations with residents of towns throughout Siberia. We meet Svetlana, an entrepreneur who runs a small hotel in Ishim, fighting through corrupt layers of bureaucracy every day. Greene spends a joyous evening with a group of babushkas who made international headlines as runners-up at the Eurovision singing competition. They sing Beatles covers, alongside their traditional songs, finding that music and companionship can heal wounds from the past. In Novosibirsk, Greene has tea with Alexei, who runs the carpet company his mother began after the Soviet collapse and has mixed feelings about a government in which his family has done quite well. And in Chelyabinsk, a hunt for space debris after a meteorite landing leads Greene to a young man orphaned as a teenager, forced into military service, and now figuring out if any of his dreams are possible. Midnight in Siberia is a lively travel narrative filled with humor, adventure, and insight. It opens a window onto that country s complicated relationship with democracy and offers a rare look into the soul of twenty-first-century Russia." Rose -- Sergei -- Boris -- Another Sergei -- Liubov -- Nina -- Alexei -- Vasily -- Galina -- Marina -- Angelina -- Andrei -- Polina -- Ivan -- Tatiana -- Nadezhda -- Yet another Sergei -- Taisiya -- Igor -- Olga -- Vitaly.;"Travels with NPR host David Greene along the Trans-Siberian Railroad capture an overlooked, idiosyncratic Russia in the age of Putin. After two and a half years as NPR's Moscow bureau chief, David Greene travels across the country--a 6,000-mile journey by rail, from Moscow to the Pacific port of Vladivostok--to speak with ordinary Russians about how their lives have changed in the post-Soviet years. Reaching beyond the headline-grabbing protests in Moscow, Greene speaks with a group of singing babushkas from Buranovo, a teenager hawking 'space rocks' from last spring's meteor shower in Chelyabinsk, and activists battling for environmental regulation in the pollution-choked town of Baikalsk. Through the stories of fellow travelers, Greene explores the challenges and opportunities facing the new Russia--a nation that boasts open elections and new-found prosperity yet still continues to endure oppression, corruption, and stark inequality. Set against the wintery landscape of Siberia, Greene's lively travel narrative offers a glimpse into the soul of twentieth-century Russia--how its people remember their history and look forward to the future"--Provided by publisher. After Two And A Half Years As Npr's Moscow Bureau Chief, David Greene Travels Across The Country--a 6,000-mile Journey By Rail, From Moscow To The Pacific Port Of Vladivostok--to Speak With Ordinary Russians About How Their Lives Have Changed In The Post-soviet Years. Reaching Beyond The Headline-grabbing Protests In Moscow, Greene Speaks With A Group Of Singing Babushkas From Buranovo, A Teenager Hawking 'space Rocks' From Last Spring's Meteor Shower In Chelyabinsk, And Activists Battling For Environmental Regulation In The Pollution-choked Town Of Baikalsk--provided By Publisher. Rose -- Sergei -- Boris -- Another Sergei -- Liubov -- Nina -- Alexei -- Vasily -- Galina -- Marina -- Angelina -- Andrei -- Polina -- Ivan -- Tatiana -- Nadezhda -- Yet Another Sergei -- Taisiya -- Igor -- Olga -- Vitaly. David Greene. Includes Index. "After two and a half years as NPR's Moscow bureau chief, David Greene traveled along the Trans-Siberian Railway to capture an overlooked, idiosyncratic Russia in the age of Putin-style democracy. On his 6,000-mile train journey from Moscow to the Pacific port of Vladivostok, Greene meets a group of singing babushkas from Buranovo, a teenager hawking "space rocks" from a meteor shower in Chelyabinsk, and an activist battling for environmental regulation along Lake Baikal. He finds ordinary Russians conflicted about the future of their country--a nation that boasts open elections and newfound prosperity but continues to endure oppression, corruption, and stark inequality. Midnight in Siberia offers a rare glimpse into the soul of present-day Russia."--Page 4 of cover