Summary

WHY DON'T RUSSIANS SMILE?

The definitive guide to the differences between Russians and Americans.

This guide will help Americans understand Russians better then Russians themselves.

Soberly viewed, there is little possibility that enough Americans will ever accomplish any general understanding of Russia. It would require a measure of intellectual humility and a readiness to reserve judgment which few of us are of us would be capable. Americans, individually and collectively, will continue to wander about in the maze of contradiction and the confusion which is Russia, with feelings not dissimilar to those of Alice in Wonderland, and with scarcely greater effectiveness.

He will be alternately repelled or attracted by one astonishing phenomenon after another, until he finally succumbs to one or the other of the forces involved or until, dimly apprehending the depth of his confusion he flees the field in horror.

Distance, necessity, self-interest, and common-sense may enable Americans, thank God, to continue that precarious and troubled but peaceful co-existence which we have managed to lead with the Russians up to this time. But if so, it will not be due to any understanding on our part.