Cleveland Plain Dealer review of BLACK RUSSIAN
The Cleveland Plain Dealer loves THE BLACK RUSSIAN:
“Although Alexandrov constructed this vessel with sturdy timbers of historical research, it sails lightly on a swift narrative current that transports us from Reconstruction Mississippi to Memphis, New York City, London, Paris, Moscow and, finally, Constantinople. . . . Alexandrov excels at recreating the various worlds Thomas inhabited — from his restricted existence during Reconstruction to his glittering fast-lane life on the Continent.
. . . What [Thomas’] life illustrates, as Alexandrov skillfully and gracefully shows, is that when people are unshackled from slaveries – of whatever sort – freedom’s buoyancy can lift them to surprising heights, can offer miraculous views.”
-Cleveland Plain Dealer