After awakening from its long communist slumber, Russia in the 1990s was a place where everything and everyone was for sale, and fortunes could be made and lost overnight. Into this free-market maelstrom stepped rookie Wall Street Journal reporter Matthew Brzezinski, who was immediately pulled into the mad world of Russian capitalism -- where corrupt bankers and fast-talking American carpetbaggers presided over the biggest boom and bust in financial history. Brzezinski's adventures take him from the solid-gold bathroom fixtures of Moscow's elite, to the last stop on the Trans-Siberian railway, where poverty-stricken citizens must buy water by the pail from the local crime lord, and back to civilization, to stumble into a drunken birthday bash for an ultra-nationalist politico. It's an irreverent, lurid, and hilarious account of one man's tumultuous trek through a capitalist market gone haywire -- and a nation whose uncertain future is marked by boundless hope and foreboding despair.

Described by Harpers & Queen as "a chic insider's guide for sophisticated travellers," these sleek, black city guides are aimed at the more discerning traveller looking to sidestep the usual tourist traps and penetrate the skin of each city.The Hedonist's Guide To series offers a definitive view of the finest restaurants, the most stylish hotels, the chicest bars, the best shopping, the most luxurious spas and the cultural highlights in each city. Individually tried and tested, every bar, restaurant, hotel, cafe and nightclub is accompanied by a photograph.

Everyone who has ever gambled knows how even small bets can make the heart race. Gayle Mitchell understands because that’s how she felt when she first walked into a Las Vegas casino nearly twenty years ago. Because her first experience was such a pulsating one, she committed herself to learn every game in the casino so that she could return the next time a better-educated gambler. Today, she is considered one of North America’s leading experts on casino gaming and has made a career out of educating other gamblers. Here she explains the best and worst bets in the casino, the secrets of successful slots and video poker play, how to win at blackjack, her ten “Dos” of casino gambling, tips on casino poker, and much more. Her thorough knowledge of the subject and enthusiasm for the sheer fun of the casino experience makes this book essential reading before you walk through a casino’s doors.

A thorough and comprehensive guide to the rapidly changing cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg, this book details everything from transportation around the cities to area day trips to entertainment and nightlife. Also included are suggested activities for children and 20 locator maps.

Provides information on hotels, restaurants, shopping, sightseeing, and points of interest in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Detailed and timely information on accommodations, restaurants, and local attractions highlight these updated travel guides, which feature all-new covers, a two-color interior design, symbols to indicate budget options, must-see ratings, multi-day itineraries, Smart Travel Tips, helpful bulleted maps, tips on transportation, guidelines for shopping excursions, and other valuable features. Original.