Getting the Microstory of the Mexican Revolution

 I have been asked to join a panel discussion on October 30 at The El Paso Central Library, part of their celebration of the Mexican Revolution centenary. The host of the discussion will be David Dorado Romo and that is what this post is about. He is a very interesting man, author of “Ringside Seat to a Revolution: An Underground Cultural History of El Paso and Juarez, 1893-1923.”

The fascinating thing to me is Romo’s approach to uncover the underside of the Revolution, the characters who made a difference, but seldom make it into the history books. That is what I like to do and what my book, “Dos Gringos” does in its own way. And Rome focuses on El Paso, my hometown, and its critical role in the happenings in Mexico. I very much look forward to the meeting and the panel discussion.

 For more on the book and the author see http://www.sergiotroncoso.com/essays/eptimes/05-1113/index.htm and a youtube NPR interview  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGm61qvnAI0

Buy a copy of “Dos Gringos”  here.

Confessions of a Russophile

From the review for “Walking on Ice. An American Businessman in Russia” from Russia Profile magazine, by its editor, Andrei Zolotov, Jr.  

Of the legion of Western entrepreneurs who came to Russia in the early 1990s in search of opportunities, many came here guided not just by greed, but by a quest for adventure. But there were few who had become infatuated with Russian culture built their businesses as a cultural matchmaking of sorts. They had the inquisitive minds and open hearts of cultural interpreters, which helped push their projects in the land, where, as one such person, Frederick R. Andresen put it, “everything is difficult—and everything is possible.”

Andresen put his insightful observations into a tenderly written, concise book, which is neither an academic study, nor a memoir; neither a business manual, nor a cultural history. Yet it somehow manages to serve all these purposes and can be recommended as an easy and highly educational read for aspiring Russia scholars and people preparing for a tour of duty in Russia.

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Why I like Chekhov

I have seen all of Anton Chekhov’s plays, some several times, and read many of his stories. I wondered why I was drawn to his writing and especially to his unique character development. I saw the Russian film “Ward 6” based on his story. It was the most depressing film I have seen. It’s all set in a 19^th century Russian insane asylum. How depressing can that be, right? But, the dialog was amazing.  It took me a time of quiet introspection to come to terms with all this. I came home and read Richard Pevear’s introduction to the book of Chekhov stories and that helped a lot.

 Chekhov was a doctor, but chose the human’s thought and not his body to dissect. His stories extol no cause, no political or social principle. He only demonstrates through his words, what each character thinks about all these issues, about life. Like any really great artist, he only represents his picture, and it is up to the observer, the reader, what is meant. And that may mean one thing to one and another thing to another. He was not a pessimist. He wrote about pessimistic characters.  ”Man is what he believes,” said Chekhov.

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Introducing Fred Andresen

From a lifetime of international business, travel, and life in Asia, Russia, and Europe, a deep interest and experience in intercultural relations has developed and is my base for my sharing as a professional or as a writer. I am asked to speak to MBA classes and professional groups on working with the Russians.

My writings are mainly historical novels set in various times and places. However, my first was non-fiction and based on seventeen years business experience in Russia, six years in residence. I founded (1992) and managed a leading telecommunications company in Russia expanding globally. I enjoyed working with the Russians, finding them intelligent, dedicated, and resourceful.  I am presently on the board of a Russian orchestra and president of the Los Angeles/St. Petersburg Sister City committee. 

Books include:

“Walking on Ice, An American Businessman in Russia” (2007) based on over seventeen years in Russian business. Realistic and humorous.

“Dos Gringos” (coming in Dec 2009) based on a true story of my Norwegian immigrant father’s escapades in the Mexican Revolution

“The Lady with an Ostrich Feather Fan” (2010) the story of the famous Yusupov Rembrandts and those who sought them, and those who protected them.

“The Fabergé Clock” (2010) a action/romance novel set in contemporary Russia.  

An enjoyment of literature, classical music, and art is reflected in all this work.