Vodka Shot, Pickle Chaser, by David A. Kalis

A true story of risk, corruption and self-discovery amid the collapse of the Soviet Union

For David, graduating from college was a matter of course, but figuring out what to do next with his life turns into a paralyzing decision.

On a whim, he decides to travel to the Soviet Union. His loose plans call for a thirty-day tour of Leningrad, but after finding himself caught up in the middle of a coup d’état that destabilizes the country, he ends up staying abroad for two and a half tumultuous years.

From surviving perilous run-ins with the Russian mafia and the Soviet military, to searching for his lost heritage in a remote village, David’s story is a riveting coming-of-age memoir. He finds that the road less traveled can lead to unexpected adventure, and that looking backward sometimes provides the best insight into how to move forward.

About the Author

David A Kalis grew up in the Boston suburbs. He earned his B.A. in Soviet East European Studies from Tufts University and an M.B.A. from The University of Chicago, Graduate School of Business. Following his graduation from Tufts University, he spent two and a half years abroad in Russia which formed the basis for his memoir and ensuing career choices. In 2006, after many years of talking about the idea of writing his story, he finally began the work. Vodka Shot, Pickle Chaser is the culmination of combing through his experiences, organizing his thoughts, and presenting his journey and the life lessons he learned along the way. He currently lives in Newton, MA.

For More Info
Website: www.davidakalis.com (to see pictures, video, and more!)

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/thedavidkalis


BUY THE BOOK
Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/Q1hPhm

Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/1sRPmtH

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The Red Quest, by Jason Smart

Travels through 22 former Soviet Republics

Synopsis
"The Red Quest" is the true story of one man's mission to visit every country of the former Soviet Union.

Along the way, the author samples fermented mare's milk in Kazakhstan, gets chased by hounds in Kiev, is detained by the police in Kyrgyzstan, travels through a snow blizzard between Armenia and Georgia, and gets mugged by a pensioner in Tajikistan. Oh, and he also takes a side trip to a genuine breakaway state where he is almost beaten up in a border hut. All in the name of "The Red Quest"!

Constantly berated by his friend for wanting to go to 'Turnipland', the Red Quest is a journey spanning half the world from Western Europe to the edge of China! And he is armed only with a pocket full of roubles and a turnip masher.

Join Jason Smart as he travels along the Red Quest through Latvia, Estonia, Slovakia, Lithuania, Hungary, Russia, Romania, Moldova. Ukraine, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Poland, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus and East Germany!

Jason Smart is a published travel writer, with articles appearing in both magazine and print. As well as "The Red Quest," Smart has three other travel books in print:

"Flashpacking through Africa"
"The Balkan Odyssey"
"Temples, Tuk-tuks and Fried Fish Lips"


About the Author

Jason Smart was born in 1971 in Middlesbrough, Northern England. After moving to Yorkshire to study for his degree, he became a primary school teacher, eventually moving to the Middle East to take up a position in an international school in Qatar.

A major traveller, Jason has been to over 100 countries, spanning six continents, including some less-travelled nations such as Paraguay, Bangladesh, Rwanda and the Comoros. His first travel book, The Red Quest, described his mission to visit every country of the former Soviet Union, plus the six Warsaw Pact nations. His second book, Flashpacking through Africa, details his travels through 17 African nations, and his third book, The Balkan Odyssey, describes his adventures at travelling through all the countries of the former Yugoslavia, plus Albania. His fourth book, Temples, Tuk-tuks and Fried Fish Lips chronicles Jasons's travels through the Far East.

Jason Smart's first published article was contained within a book entitled, From The Grand Canyon to the Great Wall, published by Slenk Dee LCC in 2012. He has also had articles printed in travel magazines and web-based travel sites. In June 2013, his first paperback was published by Destinworld Publishing. Entitled, Take Your Wings and Fly, it details his progression through the UK Private Pilot's Licence.

For More Info
Website: www.theredquest.com

Follow the Author on Twitter
https://www.twitter.com/JasonSmart152

BUY THE BOOK
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1lMK0f3

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1qkLIpU

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