Charles Hecker has spent forty years travelling and working in the Soviet Union and Russia. He has worked as a journalist and a geopolitical risk consultant and has lived in Miami and Moscow. A fluent Russian speaker, he holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University. He lives in London and is an Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute.

‘[A] fascinating exploration of the role western business has played in Russia’s development.’

• Dedication A note on sources Preface Chapter One: The phone rings Chapter Two: Was it ever thus? Chapter Three: The "unbreakable union" Chapter Four: The Backdrop Chapter Five: The walls couldn't talk, but they could listen Chapter Six: Joint Adventures Chapter Seven: Insecurities Chapter Eight: Two systems, one country Chapter Nine: The valerian days Chapter Nine-and-a-half: Time out Chapter Ten: "Who's the boss?" Chapter Eleven: That time compliance was sexy Chapter Twelve: You can't go home again Acknowledgements

Charles Hecker has spent forty years travelling and working in the Soviet Union and Russia. He has worked as a journalist and a geopolitical risk consultant and has lived in Miami and Moscow. A fluent Russian speaker, he holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University. He lives in London and is an Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute.

‘[A] fascinating exploration of the role western business has played in Russia’s development.’

• Dedication A note on sources Preface Chapter One: The phone rings Chapter Two: Was it ever thus? Chapter Three: The "unbreakable union" Chapter Four: The Backdrop Chapter Five: The walls couldn't talk, but they could listen Chapter Six: Joint Adventures Chapter Seven: Insecurities Chapter Eight: Two systems, one country Chapter Nine: The valerian days Chapter Nine-and-a-half: Time out Chapter Ten: "Who's the boss?" Chapter Eleven: That time compliance was sexy Chapter Twelve: You can't go home again Acknowledgements

Charles Hecker has spent forty years travelling and working in the Soviet Union and Russia. He has worked as a journalist and a geopolitical risk consultant and has lived in Miami and Moscow. A fluent Russian speaker, he holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University. He lives in London and is an Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute.

‘[A] fascinating exploration of the role western business has played in Russia’s development.’

• Dedication A note on sources Preface Chapter One: The phone rings Chapter Two: Was it ever thus? Chapter Three: The "unbreakable union" Chapter Four: The Backdrop Chapter Five: The walls couldn't talk, but they could listen Chapter Six: Joint Adventures Chapter Seven: Insecurities Chapter Eight: Two systems, one country Chapter Nine: The valerian days Chapter Nine-and-a-half: Time out Chapter Ten: "Who's the boss?" Chapter Eleven: That time compliance was sexy Chapter Twelve: You can't go home again Acknowledgements