Economic failure, including the unprecedented collapse of a major economy in peacetime, played a significant part in the collapse of the communist system in Russia, and the break-up of the Soviet Union itself. Despite its status as a major world power, the Soviet Union had a trade structure which resembled that of a relatively backward Third World country dependent upon exports of fuels, raw materials, precious metals, wood and lumber for 95 per cent of its exports to the industrial West. Its major "industrial" exports consisted of armaments, frequently delivered on credit to Third World countries. This book analyzes the economic, historic and political problems that will have to be overcome if a Russian government, however constituted, is to succeed in integrating the Russian economy. Alan Smith asks whether the assistance the West is proposing will be sufficient, and examines the consequences of failure for regional and international stability. He presents largely unconsidered material from Soviet sources on the economic importance of the Soviet arms trade, and on Soviet export of diamonds and precious metals, arguing that the West has consistently overestimated Soviety hard curr

Craving for a fulfilling, rewarding and gratifying life is overwhelming for George Grey. George Grey, a man in his forties, has come to a point in his life where he no longer can hide the disappointment he feels about his life. One Saturday after celebrating the life of a friend with his two closest childhood friends, he is confronted with the choice of maintaining the distasteful status quo of his life or facing the challenges of changing it.

This book was developed from the collective works of Phillip Martin Williamson, Leon Vaughn Gilchrist, Jr. and Alan H. Smith who make up EASY Ink, a written-word enterprise. Many people entertain the idea of others reading their written thoughts and opinions, but are reluctant to commit them to ink because they are often intimidated by thoughts of others knowing their convictions and opinions, or simply have no forum from which to speak. A few years ago, we started a monthly publication, Easy Times as a method of placing our voice into the marketplace of ideas. Having heard from so many sources on a wide range of topics, we wanted to enter the fray in a way that would encourage others to read, think and possibly discuss rather than rage at one another with the bullhorns that seem to be the norm of today's media. Under the Surface and Beyond the Horizon is the bound collection of the ideas and perspectives shared through Easy Times.