Acknowledgments

Sine qua non is not usually used in the plural, but in this case, it is the
only way to describe the contributions made by the following people:
Dr. Dmitri Pikunov, director of the Laboratory for the Ecology of
Large Mammals at the Far Eastern Institute of Geography in Primorye, is
the veteran tiger researcher who first documented these tragic and signal
events. I am grateful for his passion, and for his time.
Sasha Snow is the British filmmaker who brought this story to a wider
audience in the form of the multiple award-winning drama-documentary
Conflict Tiger. His vision, generosity, friendship, and enthusiasm
emboldened me to go to Russia, and have nourished me ever since.
Yuri Trush, of course, is the linchpin of this story. His patience,
kindness, and willingness to explain in detail a series of events that are, at
times, almost unbearable to contemplate gave me a life-changing window
into one Russian soul. On a daily basis, Trush manifests the verity that
faith is a physical act. It is my fervent hope that this book reflects that
fact.
Josh Stenberg accompanied me on every step of my journeys through
Manchuria and Primorye. Josh speaks eight languages, including
Mandarin and Russian, and his contributions went far beyond those of an
ordinary translator, at times including those of fixer, minder, cultural
advisor, counselor, and historian. In short, Josh was my Dersu; I can
safely and proudly say that, without him, this book would be a different
and lesser thing, if it had come to be at all.
I am continually amazed by—and grateful for—the generosity of
strangers. The residents of Sobolonye and Yasenovie were welcoming
and helpful in spite of all they have endured. In particular, I wish to thank
Alexander Borisov, Tamara Borisova, Sergei Boyko, Denis Burukhin,
Lida Burukhina, Ludmilla Gvordzik (Baba Liuda), Viktor Isayev, Leonid
Lopatin, Sergei Luzgan, Alexei Markov, Irina Peshkova, Irina and the late
Andrei Onofreychuk, Yevgeny Sakirko, Igor and Tatyana Sedykh,