It's been a while since I read this, and it's a bit dated, but still it was an enjoyable, slightly bitter-sweet novel about people overcoming intellectual differences to connect on their basic humanity.

A wealthy American (Armand Hammer, perhaps?), with personal ties to the Soviet Union, is annoyed by a particularly belligerent cold-war speech and changes his will to leave everything to the Kremlin. And abruptly dies. The Soviets give most of his holdings to the employees, but decide that they may be able to score a publicity coup with his baseball team.

Initially hostile, the Americans and Soviets eventually get to know and respect one another. One hilarious scene that is typical of the book as a whole is when one of the Soviets attempting to sing the "Star-Spangled Banner", as dutifully learned from late night television, as his American colleague, touched by the gesture, attempts to keep a straight face at the rather eccentric rendition of the lyrics.

Even those who don't remember the Cold War can probably understand the eternal themes of political hostilities and personal good intentions. ( )