Over thirty years ago, when Eugene Dubnov was mulling over a doctoral thesis on Mandelstam, I first read his poetry, and was astonished that such a genuine talent was subordinating itself to analysing others' talents. But a Russian poet in post-Soviet space or exile has few of the paths to recognition available to an earlier generation - being imprisoned, shot or deported. At last, however, we have Dubnov at his best, and with each poem beautifully mirrored in English, too. It is still clear that he is an heir to Mandelstam (and to Joseph Brodsky, as well), but his is an original voice, moulding the Russian language with finesse and sensitivity. - Professor Donald Rayfield, University of London.