The story of fifteen years newspaper experience in Russia affords the opportunity for a keen survey of crucial years from the outside looking in and the inside looking out. And with the man having that experience a man of the calibre of Walter Duranty, the result was bound to be good reading -- but I had not expected it to be so fresh and vigorous and enlightening. No twice told tale, this, but a keenly human story, with a philosophical approach, a spice of humor, and a balanced approach to the Russian problems. A book for the Personal History market, though don't sell it as straight autobiography, as that phase of it is secondary. Should be a ""must book"" for anyone interested in Russia.