Paul Hollander's book is dedicated to the phenomenon of perception of utopia. In fact, this is the story of the search for an ideal society by Western intellectuals. In their opinion, the countries of the socialist camp were an alternative to the inhuman and spiritless capitalist system. During a visit to Cuba, China, the USSR and Vietnam, Western guests, seeing the essence of the totalitarian regimes of these countries, admired the enthusiasm of the people, exemplary hospitals, nurseries, factories, factories and even prisons, not suspecting that they became just participants in a masterfully staged performance called "hospitality technique" - hospitality of Potemkin villages.