Overview

The Berlin Wall has come down, and East meets West. Yeltsin becomes president of a bankrupt state. Desperate for cash, Russia opens its doors to foreign companies, and Australian-born Ludmila is lured to the home of her ancestors to mine Russia's secret jewel in her crown, Sukhoi Log, the world's largest gold reserve. To do this, she seeks the aid of charismatic Australian mining magnate Ian MacNee and Australia's future prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull. The two men share a passion for gold and for Ludmila-but one man is not what he seems. Supported by diary and business meeting records and company reports, For the Love of Russian Gold is a sweeping exposé of corruption and deceit at the highest echelons of the Russian government in the 1990s, and of tax havens, the mafia, and synthetic drugs. It is also a personal, heart-wrenching story of abuse in the form of coercive control. Millions of dollars raised by merchant bankers in London, New York, and Australia flow into Siberia as the mining world eagerly watches. The stakes are high, but the question remains: Is the reserve really worth $30 billion? Or is Sukhoi Log Russia's greatest grift?

Full Product Details

9798888246672

Table of Contents

Reviews

""This fast-moving, page-turning book is by a woman who does not know the word 'no' and like a Spanish toreador goes into the arena of high-stakes, high-finance deals and waves the red cape at the storming bull-in this case, none other than Russia's leaders, Gorbachev and Yeltsin.""-Laurinel Owen, author of Strings Attached ""A wonderful tale and exposé of the evolution of Russia from the 'tsar wars' in the early twentieth century to freedom from the Berlin Wall as Russia, broke, begins enticing capital investments. Written from actual experience and a matter of record, the content could only have been exposed by someone with an incredible in-depth knowledge of actual events. What amazes the reader is the realization that this is not a fictional drama. It reads like a novel with all the thrills interwoven of love, power, adventure, corruption, and life-and-death scenarios as each page unfolds. It's a 'can't put down' read and highly recommended.""-Ric Lawes, author and movie producer ""Ludmila Melnikoff's For the Love of Russian Gold is a captivating memoir about a business-savvy young woman navigating the treacherous world of Russian gold mining. She has inside knowledge on the ins and outs of Russian society and commerce, and because of this she faces manipulation from the men around her. She recounts harrowing tales from her past, including kidnapping, encounters with brown bears, sandstorms, bribery, and bugged devices, highlighting the pervasive dangers of her pursuit in mining for Russian gold. I am surprised she made it out alive. Melnikoff's descriptive writing makes this book a compelling read for anyone interested in adventure, drama, and ethical quandaries.""-Holly Mayes, author of Dream, Girl

Author Information

Ludmila Melnikoff graduated from the University of New South Wales with a bachelor of science degree and completed a diploma in Russian studies from Moscow University. Using her expertise and business acumen, she founded the world's first scientific employment agency, Labstaff, which became a huge success. Ludmila, who was born in Australia of Russian aristocracy, helped set up the world's first foreign-Russian gold mining joint venture between her company, STAR Technology, and LenGold, with President Yeltsin's blessing. This saga is detailed in her book For the Love of Russian Gold.

Tab Content 6

Countries Available