The "Building Capitalism in Russia" book provides a comprehensive and balanced analysis of Russia's economic reforms, offering valuable insights into the country's unique challenges and successes.

Written by two American scholars with extensive knowledge of the country and recent experience as advisors to Russian policymakers, this book offers a nuanced understanding of the political strategies employed by Russia's leaders in their attempts to build capitalism on the ruins of Soviet central planning.

The authors demonstrate how Russia's federal, ethnically diverse, and heavily industrialized economy posed significant obstacles to reform, but also highlight successful episodes where central reformers managed to navigate these challenges through political tactics and strategic decision-making.

The book provides valuable lessons on political strategies that can be applied to other reform efforts, making it an essential read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of Russian economic development.