'...it is a valuable contribution to our understanding of the complex patterns of capitalism that have arisen from the rubble of Soviet-type Communism.' - Robert F. Miller, Slavonic& East European Review 'This edited volume makes good reading for the modern kind of economist interested in issues rather close to business studies. Scholars at really every level of expertise may find it interesting to learn of the particular conditions that exist in transition countries where economies face a complete overhaul of their institutional framework. The book is easily digestible for the non-expert, as the language is clear and accessible. In terms of methodology, the main issue at hand remains clear throughout the book (possibly with the exception of one chapter) and the chapters in the book feature a good mix of instructive and descriptive analysis, state-of-the-art theory, and empirical as well as simple and robust econometric testing of hypotheses.' - Johannes Stephan, Economic Systems 'A BOOK ON CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND FINANCE IN RUSSIA AND POLAND is unlikely to find a place on the business and management shelves of airport bookstores. Yet perhaps it should, because the consequences of Russian corporate governance practices over the last decade or so have generated more media interest than any business issue since Enron. Names like Abramovich, Gazprom and Yukos have a resonance with a very wide audience indeed. Acknowledging the particular significance of Russia, Mickiewicz makes clear this is the primary subject of the book, with Poland chosen largely for its usefulness as a comparator. Yet if the comparative perspective is in one sense an artifice, the thorough treatment of the subject matter on both countries by Mickiewicz and his contributors rapidly banished the mild indignation felt by this Polskaphile.' - John Blenkinsopp, Europe-Asia Studies 'Overall, this is an impressive collection of work on a topic of growing importance. The huge changes in Russia and Poland have taken place with astonishing speed and although the pace may have slowed it remains fast enough to require regular caveats inserted in the text 'as at 2005...','at the time of writing ...', and in one case even a postscript updating the story. It might seem that there would be a risk that the book becomes rapidly dated, but in fact it is likely to have a continuing relevance because most chapters incorporate a historical perspective, such that the book is likely to become a key reference point for researchers in a range of fields.' - John Blenkinsopp, Europe-Asia Studies
