Discovering the Russian soul is like opening a matryoshka, a Russian doll, revealing the many layers. The Russian Orthodox religion is unique, Russian history is tragic, and the people are unpredictable. Russia's military and political power, as well as the rich contribution of its art and culture, is the result of an inner dynamic not always understood by outsiders.

This book sets out to help listeners become more perceptive travelers and to make trips more personally fulfilling. It explores the connections between Russia's turbulent past and its paradoxical present, it describes present-day values and attitudes, and it offers practical advice on what to expect and how to behave in different social circumstances.