Vodka Shot, Pickle Chaser: A true story of risk, corruption and self-discovery amid the collapse of the Soviet Union Paperback – Illustrated, March 5, 2014

By far my favorite book of 2022. Originally published in 2014, but still so timely and relevant with the Russia-Ukrainian War which saw major escalation this year. The author keeps you on the edge of your seat from the very start. Instead of going down the typical path in life of “finding a good job after college", the author decides to take what was supposed to be a quick trip to the Soviet Union. Two and a half years later, amidst a number of different backdrops and life-altering decisions, you become part of his story, sitting silently, becoming one with the characters he meets along his journey. You will definitely relate to similar life situations. The people he encounters are fascinating, and sometimes frightening. Overall, the book is funny, charming and beautifully genuine. Surprising moves along the way keeps you from putting the book down. You feel his challenges, hardships, but more importantly, get to share in his celebrations and wins!

I loved this book. The immersive narrative brought me into the story. I felt the tension as the events unfolded and was never sure what would happen next. Open this book and hold on.

David tells a really personal story of growth while weaving in monumental historical events, and topping it all off with a dash of comedy.Really enjoyed my time reading this memoir.

I’d recommend this book because it is a wonderful read for a number of reasons.First, it must be said that Kalis has a great story to tell and this first-time author tells it with the honestly and directness that only a first time author can. I get the sense that he was smiling as he was recounting he is post-college years in Russia, and as I was reading, I found I was smiling along with him. This makes it an enjoyable read from beginning it end.Next, the book connects on number of levels (that other reviewers have touched upon, so I will not go into details here). It is great coming of age tale about finding yourself after college. It is also a story about chasing your cultural heritage. And it does provide a great snapshot of the Russia mindset during a time of considerable political upheaval, and one that has become more relevant today given the crisis in the Ukraine.But mostly I feel that it’s a story about being in the moment and relishing those moments. Kalis seems to have Zelig-est luck to be in the right place at the right time–as Russian tanks are coming down the street or when Mafia thugs have it out in a bar. But in reality it was Kalis and his curiosity and courage (some say hutzpah) that got him there. He could have turned away, stayed in the background or went home, but he leaned-in, absorbed these moments, and he benefited from it. It serves as a reminder to all of us to take advantage of these opportunities – to engage in experiences in real-time – and see how they unfold. It is a tacit takeaway from the book, and one that I hope I can bring to the forefront for my children. It is also an important element, along with all the others, that should makes this book required reading for junior high and high school students.

Kalis' story brings us back to a time not so long ago when the world was less flat and working internationally for many meant joining the Peace Corps or banking in London or Hong Kong. Following graduation from Tufts University, David finds a different path to working abroad. He does a fantastic job of bringing us on that journey with him.Taking us along as he plans life after college, you can picture him scanning the yellow pages as he looks for cool companies, skipping out on a tour group and finding himself in a historic moment.You find yourself thinking, "What's going to happen next?", "Did this really happen?" and "I should brush up on my history." The good news is that David gives you a little history lesson along the way, the next scene is better than the last and yes, it really did happen.I brought this book on a recent family vacation and found myself relaying David's story to the group at every meal. They were hooked just as much as I was that I had to write my first Amazon review. We are all waiting for the movie!

This is an interesting and entertaining account of the author’s experiences in Russia just after the collapse of the Soviet Union. What started as a one-month visit turned into a couple of years living and working in a country that was disintegrating and reinventing itself, not always successfully. Looking back years later, the author describes the often humorous, sometimes very serious, adventures in which he overcame all manner of business, linguistic, cultural, and other challenges. The curiosity that led him to explore well beyond the usual tourist paths even landed him on the wrong side of army tanks during a coup.Along the way, he encountered everyone from Gorbachev to Russian mobsters, along with lots of ordinary Russians. This is a tale of self-discovery and not an academic tome. But in describing those people, the author brings to life experiences and attitudes that have shaped today’s Russia and its attitudes toward the West. When I finished reading Vodka Shot, I just wished the author had produced another round of his entertaining experiences.

I highly recommend this book. It was SO refreshing to read non-fiction! (Have you ever noticed how bombarded we are with advertisements of dark, dystopia fiction books?) I appreciated learning about the people and lifestyles of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. This book will likely inspire you to make some life changes or take a chance as it is never too late to discover another side of you or refocus your life.

Travel memoirs by self-published writers are usually not very good. This is an exception. The writing is professional and well edited. Although, with a few exceptions, there is not much drama in the author's account of living and working in Russia, the book does give a very good feel for what daily life there involves. And no wonder alcoholism is such a problem there!