Moscow Madness

by Timothy Harper

Book Overview

Moscow Madness: A side effect of doing business in the former Soviet Union. Its symptoms include loss of: ambition, ethics, and all business--and common--sense. The affliction sneaks up on Americans... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0070267006
• ISBN13: 9780070267008
• Release Date: April 1999
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies
• Length: 257 Pages
• Weight: 1.23 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Miller Time? Nyet???..

This is one of, if not the most, entertaining business stories I have ever read. I have several friends from former Soviet Republics, including Russia, and the only thing they would find surprising about my reaction to this book, would be that I was surprised.The former Soviet Union and now several of the Former Republics always have fascinated me. As I have come to know some of its citizens I am less fascinated, but I am more interested, less perplexed, and find the future of these Countries great "what if" scenarios. A better-posited question might be when? Western Capitalists have found the hard way that just because the new name is "The Former Soviet Union" that does not mean 3 generations of dysfunctional Soviet practices disappear. The idea that generations that have grown up under Central Planning, artificial markets, and the rest of the elements that create a fictional economy are going to adopt and practice Capitalism instantly is absurd...former barriers fall, but they do not disappear, as many western investors were to learn, they were just replaced with new obstacles.I have nothing but respect for Mr. Rick Grajirena. To even attempt what he did is beyond the level of risk that 99% of American Businesses have taken or will ever take. His business did not just have the exposure of failing, he put himself at personal risk, and that is not something a Silicon Valley start up faces. In Silicon Valley a roof keeps out the weather, in the case of this businessman it keeps you alive. For in the Moscow he chose to do business with, a roof has nothing to do with a building.I think Mr. Grajirena is one of the world's great optimists, and a man who defines perseverance. Unfortunately these attributes are not what business is about in Russia or many of The Former Republics...The natural and human resources that are part of the former USSR are literally amazing. The wealth that could be created across the 14 time zones would be unprecedented... There are the predators and the prey. This is worse as these are not Countries without Governments; rather the Governments are the largest Predators of all.Breaking something is easy, but if you consider it took the better part of the 20th Century to damage these Countries, what is the most optimistic time period for them to be reassembled?

Great "case" which lets understand thebusiness in Russia

More than anything, this is the must read book for any Russian who deals with Americans, a new generation person who learns to live in the international business environment. The book, in my opinion, reads like an extended Harvard Business Case - concise, factual, and very informative. Besides learning the useful tips on living in Russia, dealing with Russians, you will get an insight into our Soviet culture. I think that the author did a really great job at understanding us, the former Soviets. What we now need to do is translate it into Russian and have it sold in Moscow - Moscovites will love it. :) Any other books coming out soon, Mr. Harper??

Tim Harper presents a compelling look at the new Russia.

Moscow Madness takes you through Russian customs and then provides a forensic-like look into the business customs, chaos and cultural impediments facing American entrepreneurs seeking to be business pioneers in the new Russia. Tim Harper presents a compelling and original hybrid style of writing that is part novelist and part foreign correspondent. Moscow Madness gives new meaning to "red tape." The story is told chiefly through the entrepreneurial and cultural adventures of Rich Grajirena. Although Rich Grajirena never earns more than 100,000 in a year, despite years of complicated, creative, trans-Russian endeavors, his Moscow setting machinations provide the reader with a multi-million dollar look into the new Russia. What makes the book particularly appealing and easy to relate to is that the story concerns the frustrations of an individual seeking to traverse Russia's business terrain and not a difficult to relate to conglomerate. Moscow Madness offers microscopic-like clarity as to how difficult it is to start up a successful business, let alone one that requires the successful merging of two distinct countries, cultures and colorful characters. While most present day writer/attorneys are fixated on court room drama, Harper utilizes his foreign correspondent and legal background by painting on a much larger geographical and sociological canvas. Harper convinced me that while Russia may no longer be the evil empire Moscow Madness is real.

A Wild Ride

Mr. Harper's narration of Mr. Grajirena's attempt to successfully establish a Western style distribution network in Moscow is a pleasure to read. Many of us who have tried to do business in Russia can relate to Mr. Grajirena's experiences. The book does relate one man's experiences, but in doing so it provides us all with a picture of what it is like to explore opportunities on the new frontier. The book is well written and informative. I have read many books about Russia and Russian business and this was as informative as any and the most enjoyable to read. Anyone interested in working with Russia will benefit greatly from reading this book and anyone merely interested in contemporary life and business in Russia will enjoy reading this real-life account.

You had to be there!

I've been "on the ground" in Moscow since 1993 and can relate to Tim's wonderful description of Moscow Madness. This is a great read that the few of us that have lived through trying to do buisness there will really appreciate. I believe that pioneers like Rick Grajirena will reap the rewards of this wild west and prove the pundits wrong.