April 29, 2022

Hard Times Ahead


Hard Times Ahead
Colorful, but with dwindling value. The Russian Life file

Alexei Kudrin, former head of Russia's Ministry of Finance and currently president of the Accounts Chamber, revealed his forecast for the Russian economy.

He's not optimistic.

Kudrin predicts the Russian economy will contract by 8.8% in 2022, inflation will hit 20.7% (with another 6% in 2023), and GDP could decline as much as 12.4%.

All of this, of course, is a result of western sanctions.

For context, Russia saw an economic decline of around 3% in 2020, a relatively small amount compared to other states during the COVID pandemic.

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The Life Stories collection is a nice introduction to contemporary Russian fiction: many of the 19 authors featured here have won major Russian literary prizes and/or become bestsellers. These are life-affirming stories of love, family, hope, rebirth, mystery and imagination, masterfully translated by some of the best Russian-English translators working today. The selections reassert the power of Russian literature to affect readers of all cultures in profound and lasting ways. Best of all, 100% of the profits from the sale of this book are going to benefit Russian hospice—not-for-profit care for fellow human beings who are nearing the end of their own life stories.

Fearful Majesty
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This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

Little Golden Calf
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Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.

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Jews in Service to the Tsar
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Jews in Service to the Tsar

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