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MICHAEL CALVEY

ODYSSEY MOSCOW

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ABOUT ODYSSEY MOSCOW

Odyssey Moscow is a firsthand account of one American’s harrowing journey through Russia’s legal and prison systems after being falsely accused of financial crimes. 

Written by Michael Calvey, a prominent American investor and co-founder of the private equity firm Baring Vostok, the book offers a unique insight into the realities of Russia today. Calvey lived in Moscow for nearly thirty years, forging an unmatched network of personal and business contacts. Described by Bloomberg as “a legend in the Russian market, with an aversion to any kind of foul play”, Calvey invested at an early stage in many of Russia’s most innovative companies, including Yandex and Tinkoff. But in 2019, his life was turned upside down when he was arrested by the FSB on false charges amidst a corporate dispute over Vostochny, a Russian bank. The book takes readers from his shocking imprisonment in Moscow’s notorious Matrosskaya Tishina jail, through his long fight for justice against a backdrop of misrepresentations and abusive legal tactics by his accusers. Calvey’s arrest provoked widespread condemnation not just by the US Government and the international press, but across Russian society. It was a rare example of Russia’s business elites and economic officials uniting with average people and the local media to push back against the security services. Odyssey Moscow also flashes back to Calvey’s early days in Russia in the wild and chaotic 1990’s, including personal anecdotes demonstrating why many young foreigners like him fell in love with Russia and its culture. Ultimately, the book presents a stark contrast between the optimism many felt about Russia 20 or 30 years ago with the tragic reality of Russia today. Calvey concludes the book with a frank assessment of what he and other former Russia optimists got wrong. But the book isn’t principally about politics and doesn’t compete with the many recent books on Putin and the war. Odyssey Moscow is a deeply human story from a former Russian “insider” who saw the best and worst sides of the country over the last 30 years. It’s an honest perspective from someone who is very pessimistic about Russia, but still optimistic about most Russians themselves. The most powerful aspect of the book is the story of Calvey’s six Russian cellmates, who faced truly hopeless odds and yet somehow formed an inspiring comradery, and kept a sense of decency and dignity, as well as a sense of humor. The book is dedicated to them.

‘A riveting tale of betrayal and lawlessness by the Russian Government, told by the most successful US investor in Russia. Calvey narrates an incredible story of creating a thriving business in Russia and with Russians over decades that is laid waste by the Kremlin. His harrowing experience in recent years – an innocent man caught and punished in the Russian criminal justice system – is told with clinical and chilling detail.’

AMBASSADOR JOHN SULLIVAN

US Ambassador to Russia 2020–22

‘I have known Michael for over twenty-five years, and I never met any other foreigner who appreciates the Russian spirit, perhaps even more than I do! Baring was the smartest, most reputable, and successful investor in Russia. That’s why his arrest and punishment were shocking to me and the entire business elite – it was so unfair and insane. We tried to help Mike as much as we could, but there’s not much you can do in Russia against the KGB. But he held up very well! Mike is a true hero.’

OLEG TINKOV

Russian businessman and Putin critic

‘From pioneering investor to financial titan to jail-time in Moscow’s most notorious prison – Mike Calvey has ventured deep inside the Russian enigma. He knows more about post-Communist Russia, good and bad, than almost any other Westerner on earth. … One of the world’s most astute and successful asset managers, he’s a superb writer too, with an astonishing tale to tell.’

LIAM HALLIGAN

The Telegraph

PUBLICITY INQUIRIES

Ruth Killick (UK), Ruth Killick Publicity 

+44-7880-703-741  |  publicity@ruthkillick.co.uk

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Johanna Ramos-Boyer (USA), JRB Communications, LLC

+1-703-646-5137  |  johanna@jrbpr.biz

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Literary Agent  |  Andrew Lownie, Andrew Lownie Literary Agency 

+44-2072-227-574  |  lownie@globalnet.co.uk

 

Publisher  |  History Press  |  97 St George’s Place, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 3QB, SW1P 3BU

+44-1242-895-310  | marketing@thehistorypress.co.uk 

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