Book excerpt: For nearly 60 years, two renowned artist-brothers have painted together, often on the same canvas, chronicling one of history's most dramatic periods through the eyes of Russian villagers. Impressionists Sergei and Aleksei Tkachev have been awarded the most coveted prizes in the art world of the former USSR and the Russian Federation, telling their nation's stories as they lived it under Communism, perestroika and the current system as it struggles toward democracy. This is the first book in the English language to be published on these remarkable brothers. Their paintings, all reproduced in color, are scenes of collective happiness and collective farms; of gorgeous landscapes and ravaged faces; of tremendous joy and overwhelming tragedy. Few artists have such vast resources on which to draw; even fewer have the immense talent to reproduce their memoirs so eloquently in oil. Photographs from their personal album acquaint the reader with family and other leading artists with whom they painted at the Academic Dacha. Now nearing 80, they continue to lavish themselves on their canvases with great zeal and dedication. The art world is richer for it. To order contact TMORA, 11300 Hampshire Av. S., Bloomington, MN 55438, 952-914-0200. V, MC, AE accepted. Or email: [email protected]. Price: $60 plus $7.50 shipping and Minnesota sales tax $3.90.