Midnight in Siberia by David Greene

If you are interested in Russia or the Russian personality you will enjoy this book.  The author takes a journey with a Russian journalist a friend of long standing, on the famous Trans Siberian Railway.  Frequent de-embarkations are made to interview many different Russians who are or have been facing great suffering.

Russia of course consists of many different nationalities which add flavour to the story. He meets those who have suffered under Stalin and ordinary people both rich and poor. It is amazing to discover how under developed and primitive are large sections of the population; contrasting with this are the huge industrial towns which add much to world pollution. I found it fascinating to discover Russian attitudes to suffering, and their longing for stability apparently much better under Stalin!