Two American Boys in the War Zone

The Porter brothers have already survived a harrowing escape from the turmoil of revolutionary Mexico, only to find themselves back home in El Paso, where their mother insists they stay put while their father dreams of new horizons. Their father’s restless spirit and a chance article about the grand Russian Fair in Nizhni‑Novgorod set the stage for a bold family plan: a summer voyage across the Atlantic to the heart of Russia, a place his wife deems wild and impossible.

As the boys board the sleek steamer Kursk, they are fueled by the promise of exotic markets, silks, and the excitement of a distant land that feels as dangerous as it is fascinating. Their journey will thrust them into a world of unfamiliar customs, looming geopolitical tension, and the challenges of navigating a foreign country far from the familiar deserts of the Southwest. The adventure begins with the thrill of departure and the anticipation of what lies ahead.