Reeling In Russia: An American Angler In Russia

Poignant, funny, touching, sad, informative, very well written "exploration" of current conditions in FSU, and their cultures. IMHO, must reading for all Americans who need to understand the conditions in FSU.

This is not a fishing book. It is a serious study of modern day Russia, warts and all. It is an introspective study through a 7000 mile fishing journey of the Russian people and their attitudes to their govenrment, to their lives and to their destiny. It is a journey through the frightening past as well the terrifying unknown future. One should not read the newspapers these days without fully understanding the Russian people found in this book and the political paralysis that is their government..

I took Reeling in Russia with me on a recent fly fishing trip to Russia's Kola Peninsula. I always enjoy reading a book the contents of which are affiliated with the region to which I've travelled. This book aligned both with the country and with the purpose of my trip.

If the reader is interested in substantive information related to fly fishing in the former Soviet Union, this isn't the book. R In R is to fishing as motorcycles were to Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

However, RinR presents an affectionate and enlightening insight into the contemporary Russians'male's mind. Their aspirations, dreams and the practical realities that stand in the way of acheiving them. Great (and chilling)sections on the history of the Gulag, a subject about which I knew little before reading this book.

As a gazetter for both the Russian mind as well as the territory, R in R is an enjoyable read. I guess if the measure of a book's quality lies in whether it sends you to other books on the same suject, this book succeeds. I'd recommend it.