In Distant Friends: The United States & Russia, 1763-1867 Norman Saul analyzes the relationship between the United States and Russia, beginning in the colonial period, in 1763, and continuing after the Civil War to 1867. The author focuses on the nature and chronology of this relationship by examining the political, economic, diplomatic, and cultural ties between the nations. One point emphasized repeatedly is how very different America was to Russia. The crux of this argument rests on the differing history and development of the two nations. Another point is both nations, as was pointed out by contemporary critics, had vastly differing governmental structures in the form of the American Republic and the Russian Autocracy, which begged the question: Would the differences inherent between these systems eventually lead to conflict? The author rebuts this assessment.

Through common interests, both nations began to grow closer together, beginning in the colonial period. This relationship...