Crazy People Like Us: Love & Loss on the Other Side of the World Paperback – December 10, 2021

What an incredible insight into the culture of Russia and the relationship in between so many miles and culture. And Harolds great love and loss.

A unique perspective of an American who experienced Putin's Russia from the inside.In 'Crazy People Like Us: Love & Loss on the Other Side of the World,' Harold Campbell, a journalist, editor, Christian, and an English teacher, shows that, after all, people are not so different: we all want to love and be loved.Harold Campbell was searching for a penfriend when he saw a photo of Nadya, a charming English teacher from Siberia. Despite the distances - and bureaucracy -the two found they shared many similarities in views on life, love, and religion. It was easier for the author to settle in Russia and become a teacher of English as a second language than for Nadya to move to the U.S. Without anticipating what he was getting into, the author bought a ticket to Moscow.The book covers more than five years of marriage and observations about the Russian way of thinking, culture, and language. Some differences were hard to get used to, as the mindset that a thief is not a thief unless caught red-handed. (Another god of Russians is halyava, a freebie. Russians do not care about the author's rights. The first book reviews on the biggest bookselling site always contain snapshots of book pages. Movies/TV shows, translated from English to Russian, appear on Russian sites almost immediately after the release, and they are free.)The book reminded me of how the language reflects our worldview, including the political affiliations. Patriotism over nationalism, fighters for independence over separatist groups, or conflict over genocide; the slightest change in wording makes the other person go off the rails.I recommend the book as a lovely yet insightful memoir for those who want to dive into the 'deep Russian soul.' We justify hate and distrust because that brings a feeling of superiority. 'Crazy Like Us' is a refreshing respite, filled with love and compassion - and a few chuckles.

"Crazy People Like Us" is a thorough and thought-provoking page-turner. This book takes a seeker on a journey that exposes details surrounding grief, as well as cultural and religious differences. Harold Campbell presents content that encourages curiosity and introspection by taking the reader’s hand and walking step-by-step through real life examples. The book's relevancy to today's current events is worth noting, as the author chronicles his life as an American English teacher amidst Russian history and culture. Harold's willingness to be candid and vulnerable throughout allows for a remarkable memoir. He shares knowledge, understanding and experience in a masterful piece that can enrich readers’ lives in numerous ways. Do not bypass this book. It is well-worth your time.

Love this book! It offers a unique perspective of an American living abroad in Russia and India.

Beautiful look at differences in cultures, personalities and point of view between Americans and Russians while working through and past these differences to learn and grow. I appreciated that through great love and loss the author looked to God for strength in uncertain times.

Harold Campbell’s “Crazy People Like Us” is engaging and thought provoking. I read this book cover to cover with fascination. Harold shares very personal experiences intertwined with stories of the lives of people he encountered during his life in Russia and India. I especially admire his fond remembrances of his wife Nadia and their adventures as a multicultural couple. Harold and Nadia stepped out of their comfort zones, took a chance, fell in love, married and trusted God to use their educational skills to overcome cultural barriers and share Christianity. I admire them for their courage, love for each other and for their embrace of people in need. Harold’s descriptive narrative takes the reader along as a friendly observer as he and Nadia navigate the challenges of international courtship, marriage and professional careers. I learned many things about bureaucracy, day to day challenges and life in current day Russia and southern India. This is a story you can’t put down until you reach the last page. Even then, you will be waiting for the next chapter.

Tracking down facts in this book are not hard, and if you are reading this to see that you can overcome extreme grief or to show that God takes care of us no matter how many mistakes we make or to see that despite our origins we are all more alike than different, enjoy it. However, Mr. Campbell's first wife was not the first woman doctor in Oberlin, Kansas City is not a primarily rural area, and someone who is "Mr. Mom" should not have legally document childcare bills that equal two full time working people when only one is working outside the home. Interestingly, he expressed a desire to live in Russia as a child, so his move there did not surprise immediate family members. But what Mr. Campbell once said about another family member is true about this book: "Never let the facts stand in the way of a good story."