I don't want to participate in traditional Indian religious ceremonies - dance in a sun dance or pray in a sweat lodge or go on a vision quest with the help of a medicine man. The power of these ceremonies has an appeal, but I'm content with what little religion I already have.

I am an author, and like many in my profession, I am also a traveling salesman, going all over in an attempt to persuade people to spend twenty-five dollars on a hardcover book by me.

There's an idea of the Plains as the middle of nowhere, something to be contemptuous of. But it's really a heroic place.

Russian humor is to adapt or make some sense or nonsense out of the insanity of their lives.

Russians don't complain, usually.

Siberia is so big, it’s almost more an idea than a place

I only saw one English-speaking person all the way across Siberia.