Drawing on two decades of research, Treisman analyzes the paradoxes in Russian politics and society, illuminating why the disintegration of the U.S.S.R. wasn't more violent, the repercussions of the Chechen wars, the "sacred place" vodka holds in the Russian imagination (and its pernicious effect on Russia's demographics), and how, 20 years after the fall of communism, relations between Russia and the U.S. remain so frosty. Yet as Treisman convincingly argues, most of the world's international problems--nuclear proliferation, Islamic terrorism, global warming--will be difficult to solve without Russia's help.

"Titles in Barron's extensive Painless Series cover a wide range of subjects as they are taught on middle school and high school levels. These books are written for students who find the subjects unusually difficult and confusing--or in many cases, just plain boring. Barron's Painless Series authors' main goal is to clear up students' confusion and perk up their interest by emphasizing the intriguing and often exciting ways in which they can put each subject to practical use. Most of these books take a light-hearted approach to their subjects, often employing humor, and always presenting fun-learning exercises that include puzzles, games, and challenging "Brain Tickler" problems to solve. This title clarifies the logic of the Periodic Table, explores atomic theory, chemical bonding, the structure of molecules, and more"-- "This book covers the subject of chemistry as taught to students in middle-school, including topics such as Matter, the Periodic Table of Elements, Phases of Matter, Gas Laws, Mixtures, Molecules and Compounds, Chemical Reactions, Acids, Bases, and Salts, Nuclear Reactions, and Environmental Science. There are short quizzes throughout the book. Contains an index"--