Published Works

2010 “Dos Gringos, Outskirts Press

During the Mexican Revolution, a penniless Norwegian and a drifting Irishman meet in an El Paso bar and are hired by a Pittsburg con-man to fix a gold mine in Mexico with parts, which they discover too late, purposely don’t fit.

The Norwegian is focused on fixing the mine and needs the money to propose to his sweetheart in El Paso. The Irishman is focused on the local women, is fresh from Ireland’s bloody Easter Uprising, and needs to redeem a painful guilt and find a new life. They both are at gunpoint to perform or not perform. Their mutual distrust fades in the face of guns from the warring sides and they must work together to survive and escape back to Texas.

Complicating their mission is a mysterious black-suited man selling guns to both sides in the Mexican war, part of Germany’s intrigue to keep America out of World War I—and a German and Brit are there to spy on each other. Texas is far away.

This is based on a true story, a family story, told to me by my father, then in his seventies, over tacos in a Mexican restaurant in Phoenix. This is his story. That was over thirty years ago and I am pleased to share it now with readers.

Buy this book here.

Visit the Outskirts Press page for an e-book of “Dos Gringos,” by clicking here.

2007 “Walking on Ice: An American Businessman in Russia, Outskirts Press

Cover photo by Christopher Harrington

“Walking on Ice” puts Russian business on a firm and even a hopeful footing. A veteran of sixteen years of practical experience during trying times, with six years in residence, Andresen tells a seldom heard story of success and personal growth in the color and unpredictability of a changing Russia.

Understanding and respecting that cultural foundation is key to working successfully with the Russians. Citing many personal encounters with that impacting heritage, he brings the resulting lessons into believable view. Without glossing over the grosser aspects of Russian dealings, he focuses on the promise of the younger generation who run much of Russia today. Written “from the trenches” in readable and often a humorous voice, it rings true with many who have spent years there. It is mandatory reading for all who contemplate a tour of duty whether government or business in Russia—or simply a serious trip. For those who have been there and done that—it brings back memories, reality, and a maybe a laugh. One cannot put it down.

Buy this book here.

Visit the Outskirts Press page for an e-book of “Walking on Ice: An American Businessman in Russia,” by clicking here.

Other Works:
Excerpts from “Walking on Ice: An American Businessman in Russia,” Good Housekeeping Magazine (Russian, translated)

2006, “The Nizhny I Knew,” The School of Russian and Assian Studies, Moscow

2002 Speculation Laced with Hope, a Chapter in “The Ultimate Insider’s Guide to Doing Business with Russia”

1995, London, “Managing Opportunity in Russia,” Investment Strategies, The Quarterly Review of Investment Opportunities in the Former Soviet Union

 

“The Piety of Soil and Spirit”  

 I was asked by the respected Russia Profile magazine to consider if there is a connection between the legendary “Russian soul” and the chaotic world of Russian business today. My answer was absolutely yes!

My resulting article, “The Piety of Soil and Spirit” is featured on page 38  in this edition of Russia Profile, the most respected English language magazine published in Russia offering the most comprehensive and concise view of business, economic, political and cultural trends and processes underway in today’s Russia. See http://www.russiaprofile.org/page.php?pageid=About  and on that page in the left “Special Edition” column click on “The Piety of Soil and Spirit.”—that’s my article. There are more articles, really good ones, on this or similar subjects.

I learned soon after coming to Russia to start a business back in 1992, that business in Russia is like business anywhere else—but different. I call it “the third side of the Russian coin.”  In the RP article I write that “Soul” is important to a Russian. It explains the unexplainable. It is that conscious or unconscious essence that makes a people identify who they are. For the Russian, it is the “sense” of being Russian, a deep piety of soil and spirit.

There is too much to say on this topic here, but if you go to the Russia Profile website you will see all the articles on “the Russian Soul” and it is very good reading.  And of course, read my book “Walking on Ice, An American Businessman in Russia” for a “from the trenches” account of my many years in that fascinating and challenging land. Understanding the Russians, as they come into this repidly changing world is critical for all of us. They are never going to me “just like us” and why should they, but as we learn to understand and respect our differences, even as the gap narrows in time. we will all benefit and enjoy the relationship.

Buy the book here  “Walking on Ice, An American Businessman in Russia”