The author mingles his own impressions with the life stories of the people he met on a 32-day trip in 1987 taken to interview ordinary Russians to learn how they were coping with the reality of glasnost and perestroika.
Barry Broadfoot was an interviewer and history writer.
His historical research consisted of interviewing various Canadians from all over the country about their memories of their lives during specific historical periods such as the Great Depression and World War II.
In 1997, Broadfoot was made a Member of the Order of Canada, Canada's highest civilian honour.