START explains the fundamental concepts of Russian pronunciation and writing to first year English-speaking students. Pronunciation by native speakers is given with reference to English sounds and words: hard and soft consonants, voiced and voiceless consonants, regressive assimilation, and the reduction of unstressed vowels. Self-quizzes and dictations are included at the end of every chapter. Online audio and video files that correspond to sections and selected lessons in the book are available for purchase ($19.95 for a 12 month subscription) on the Focus Online Courseware website, courses.hackettpublishing.com. The online audio and video files are a replacement to the START CD-ROM which is no longer availble.