Many passages from this book could be cited to show how difficult, uncertain and often unrewarding it can be to try to do business in the former Soviet Union. Yet the editor-who, like a number of the contributors, has business experience and some firsthand knowledge of the country-reaches surprisingly upbeat conclusions, especially for joint ventures. His rationale for acquiring "detailed knowledge" and exhibiting "enormous patience and a willingness to take risks" emphasizes that the size of the market (if it is not too broken up) makes success in Russia and the other republics a valuable asset for the global strategy of companies looking for benefits broader than quick profits. He also wants the U.S. government to help both American businesses and the Russians.
