{"product_id":"book-8505","title":"The Black Russian","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Black Russian\u003c\/em\u003e is the incredible story of Frederick Bruce Thomas, born in 1872 to former slaves who became prosperous farmers in Mississippi.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA rich white planter's attempt to steal their land forced them to flee to Memphis, where Frederick's father was brutally murdered. After leaving the South and working as a waiter and valet in Chicago and Brooklyn, Frederick sought greater freedom in London, then crisscrossed Europe, and-in a highly unusual choice for a Black American at the time-went to Russia in 1899. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBecause he found no color line there, Frederick made Moscow his home. He renamed himself Fyodor Fyodorovich Tomas, married twice, acquired a mistress, and took Russian citizenship. Through his hard work, charm, and guile he became one of the city's richest and most famous owners of variety theaters and restaurants.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut the Bolshevik Revolution ruined him, and he barely escaped with his life and family to Constantinople in 1919. Starting from scratch, he made a second fortune by opening celebrated nightclubs that introduced jazz to Turkey.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHowever, the long arm of American racism, the xenophobia of the new Turkish Republic, and Frederick's own extravagance landed him in debtors' prison. He died in Constantinople in 1928.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Blackstone Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Audiobook","offer_id":49301819785520,"sku":"BD8505","price":19.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Audio CD","offer_id":49301819916592,"sku":"ZE8505","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Audio MP3-CD [ZM]","offer_id":49301819982128,"sku":"ZM8505","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0879\/2784\/9264\/files\/8505-Square-cover.jpg?v=1775726461","url":"https:\/\/downpour.com\/products\/book-8505","provider":"Downpour","version":"1.0","type":"link"}