Cross-eyed Lefty and the Steel Flea

More about the book

The story revolves around Tsar Alexander I's visit to England, where he encounters remarkable modern inventions, including a tiny mechanical flea. His servant, Platov, claims that Russian ingenuity surpasses these innovations. Tasked by Nicolas to prove this, Platov embarks on a journey to Tula to enlist a skilled gunsmith to create a superior invention that can outshine the English marvels. The narrative explores themes of national pride, innovation, and the rivalry between cultures through Platov's quest.