Behind the Urals

Describe Mike's home.

A stone apartment with four rooms, a kitchen, running water, and steam heat. It also had an elevator that wasn't in use.

Why was Mike's home unusual?

Because it had a lot of stuff. there weren't any other houses/apartments like it outside of Moscow. In fact, there wasn't anything else like this in Russia. You would have to go to Europe to see homes like this.

How did John Scott manage to arrange passage back to Magnitogorsk?

He played the role fo an important foreign specialist and pretended not to speak Russian. He made a fancy certificate and even had the seal of the Magnitogorsk on it.

What happened when John Scott visited the Ural Heavey Machine Building Works?

He thought it was one of the most beautiful works that he had ever seen. He felt that he would like to work there. They were making tanks and war machines.

When John Scott finally returned to Magnitogorsk, what was his reaction? Why?

His first reaction was that Magnitogorsk was very run down. he thought this because he had come from some very nice, well-built places. Then he thought he was proud of Magnitogorsk because he was part fo the people who had built the pland and built a city of sorts from nothing.

What does it mean to "keep one step ahead of the sheriff"?

It means you are wanted for a crime and that you are smart enough to know what the sheriff is goign to do next so you don't get caught.

Whad did John Scott visit?

The Ural Heavy Machin Building Works.

What was odd about the process of Russian Plane building?

The built it, tested it, and then took it apart. Then they shipped it to warehouses all over Russia. It was odd because they would have to rebuild the plane at the same time in the future.

What happened to the train and why weren't the workers able to fix it?

There was an accident and the line was blocked. The other train had derailed and ploughed into the hillside creating a huge hole. The workers weren't able to fix it because they were in the middle of nowhere and a crane should have been used but could not. They took the train and the tracks apart piece by piece. They brought in new parts by horse and buggy to replace it.

What was different about the Finns?

These were people from Finland who had come in search of work. They didn't go to work all the time but rested instead. They taught that they coudl do whatever they wanted or needed, like Valinbis. They didn't comingle or associate with any other culture. They kept to themselves.

What were Russian factories producing?

They were producing metal for arms like tanks, rifles, and other weapons.

What were Russian factories preparing for?

War, which was coming--WWII