The stories in this book make the reader familiar with the culture and philosophy of Russian society. They reflect the social, political, religious and moral beliefs of the common man. This collection includes the works of Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Kuprin, Khemlin, Chekhov, Yesenin , Bulgakov, and others who are widely acclaimed even to this day, for their stories address the misery and woes of the common man in their struggle for existence, and therefore have universal appeal.