Garkhov's Diary

Book excerpt: Russia, Winston Churchill said, is an enigma wrapped in a riddle buried in a mystery. But no longer! In his own words, one of Russia's billionaire businessmen, fertilizer tycoon Oleg 'Oli' Garkhov, takes us inside contemporary Russia and explains everything you ever wanted to know about this vast and confusing country. Learn how to raise children and catch tigers, understand the difference between the rule of law and dictatorship of the law, see why transparent corporate governance is irrelevant, observe the beginning of the anti-Putin youth movement, savor new Russian interior design, and master the secret of being a famous lover to beautiful Russian girls. Oli Garkhov takes us on an inside tour of life in Russia's political, business and social scenes. While searching for a suitable new wife, who can mix successfully with the smart set (there's something not quite "class" enough about lap-dancers), and wrestling with the problems of his children, Boris (Old Etonian - but is he a drug dealer or an up and coming businessman?) and Masha (why is she obsessed with overthrowing President Putin and is she really a lesbian?), Garkhov confronts the everyday challenges of keeping his business empire, aided by his faithful chief executive, Misha (you'd be grateful too, if you'd been rescued from Safanova) while hampered by his American adviser on corporate governance, Mike (did he learn nothing of value at all at Harvard?). At least he can count on the dedicated service of his murderous head of security, Pavel (or can he, now that Pavel thinks he is a reincarnated poodle?). Along the way learn why the Russian government is paralyzed, why you don't have to be a spy to be a spy, and why Gorbachev's failure to understand fertilizers led to the collapse of the Soviet Union. This is the remarkable account of one man's chaotic life.