On: In Soviet Union, Optimization Problem Solves You (...

[pinewurst]

Red Plenty (the book mentioned at the top of this) is truly great and well worth tracking down.

[Pamar → pinewurst]

Seconded, and Backroom Boys [1] by the same author, is very enjoyable, too, even if Red Plenty is really in a league of its own.

1: http://www.amazon.com/The-Backroom-Boys-Secret-British/dp/05...

[optimali → pinewurst]

Thank you for the recommendation! Just ordered and excited for it to arrive.

[ableal → pinewurst]

The Amazon page for Francis Spufford's Red Plenty, http://www.amazon.com/Red-Plenty-Francis-Spufford/dp/1555976... , currently features as 2nd comment one that starts by saying:

"I happened to grew up in Soviet Union and actually met some of the people mentioned in this book ..."

(and goes on to praise the authors accuracy.)