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“Swimming the Volga” by Brigadier General Peter B. Zwack {Ret.} to be displayed at the L.A. Times Festival of Books 2026

Explore 1990s Russia through the eyes of a U.S. Army officer, living through the day-to-day lives, economic disaster, and new power structures before Vladimir Putin redefined the nation.


San Diego, CA – WEBWIRE –

This ‘coming of age as a Russian Foreigner Area Officer’ memoir is a phenomenal, warm and provocative story told by retired Brigadier Peter Zwack. This work provides unique understanding of that part of the world. – LT. General Mark Hertling (Ret.), former Commander of U.S. Army Europe, author of “Growing Physical Leaders,” and CNN national security and military analyst.

Brigadier General Peter B. Zwack {Ret.} offers history buffs the opportunity to experience an important time in Russian history. His book, “Swimming the Volga: A U.S. Army Officer’s Experiences in Pre-Putin Russia,” will be displayed by the self-publishing and book marketing company ReadersMagnet at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books 2026. The event will take place on April 18-19, 2026, at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles.

In his book, Brigadier General Peter B. Zwack {Ret.} provides readers with an unparalleled glimpse into a pivotal moment in Russian history. Drawing on his extensive experience as a U.S. Army officer and Senior Defense Attaché in Moscow, Zwack chronicles the everyday lives of Russians as they navigate the collapse of the Soviet Union and the chaotic birth of a free-market society.

Through his visits to Kalinin, Zwack witnessed the dramatic transformations shaping ordinary people’s lives: life savings evaporating during Ruble devaluations, the emergence of nascent mafia networks, and the rapid rise of opportunistic entrepreneurs exploiting a fragile system. His narrative paints a vivid picture of ambition, fear, resilience, and disillusionment in a society attempting to redefine itself.

More than a historical memoir, “Swimming the Volga” is a time capsule of a “Wild West” Russia just before the world came to know Putin. The author’s deep understanding of the Russian language, culture, and political intricacies allows readers to grasp the complexity of this era with nuance and clarity.

Brigadier General Peter B. Zwack {Ret.} combines decades of military service with keen observation and storytelling. His account offers unmatched insight into the social, political, and economic currents that shaped modern Russia, making this book essential for historians, policymakers, and readers seeking a rare, humanized perspective on a country in flux.

Get a copy of “Swimming the Volga: A U.S. Army Officer’s Experiences in Pre-Putin Russia” on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Visit the ReadersMagnet exhibit at the L.A. Times Festival of Books 2026 at booth no. 225 and discover Russia’s history like never before. Learn more about the author and his work by visiting https://peterbzwack.net/about/

Author
Author Brigadier General Peter B. Zwack {Ret.} is a United States Army veteran with over 34 years of service as a Military Intelligence and Foreign Area Officer in assignments across Afghanistan, the Balkans, South Korea, West Germany, and Russia. He served as the Senior U.S. Defense Attaché to Russia in Moscow from 2012 to 2014, during the period surrounding the Russian invasion of Ukraine, becoming a leading U.S. expert on Russia. Brigadier Zwack is a Global Fellow at the Kennan Institute and speaks multiple languages.

Book Details
“Swimming the Volga: A U.S. Army Officer’s Experiences in Pre-Putin Russia”
Author: Brigadier General Peter B. Zwack {Ret.}
Genre: History & Military
Publisher: Zwack Eurasia Consultancy LLC
Published date: November 01, 2021

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Readersmagnet
Brigadier General
Peter B. Zwack {ret.}
Swimming In Volga
Los Angeles Times


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