Exploring Russia's Borders: A Journey Through North Korea, China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine

Alex Black: Depressing overall, but well written.

If you've come into some inheritance and are trying to decide on your extended vacation, the 3 that come up are Southeast Asia, Latin America, or for the Viking/Slavic fans, Eastern Europe.

I encourage you to read this book first, and then go check out Bangkok or Medillin. You're welcome.

United States on Jun 28, 2023

Virginia Kristiansen: Would appreciate a better map. But the content of the book was most informative. The rest of the world needs to see how the border countries functioned in this mood.

United States on Nov 12, 2022

Alan Fein: Tremendous insight that resonates with current world situation
Helps understand conflicts of Russia with its neighbors
Excellent descriptive writing
Great travelogue
Long but engaging

United States on Oct 08, 2022

ladykit: Excellent read. Educational and interesting throughout.

Canada on Apr 23, 2022

RTM: Norwegian author Erika Fatland takes the reader along the immense length of the Russian border in this well-written and insightful travel book. Fatland's writing style reminds me of the great travel writer Paul Theroux, as she visits and comments on remote places. Her observations and experiences make for interesting reading. From North Korea to Mongolia to Armenia to the Baltic States, and much in between, Fatland journeys across borders both welcoming and hostile, and encounters a fascinating mix of people. She also provides useful historical background on these countries, most of which have suffered through centuries of upheaval., especially the former Soviet Republics. For me this was the perfect armchair adventure travel book to read during the COVID era of travel restrictions.

United States on Mar 21, 2021

Christian Schlect: A nice addition to your travel literature book shelf.

Ms. Fatland, a sensible but adventuresome Norwegian in her 30s, takes the chair-bound reader on a journey that circumnavigates Russia. Her story nicely mixes ancient history, current political events, and the personal stories of some of many people she meets on her hard travels. This is an enjoyable book, made all the more than suitable given the pandemic time of non-travel we are all now enduring.

A delight of books such as these is the opportunity to acquire interesting random knowledge. For instance, the material on crossing the Black Sea help me understand for the first time its origins and importance.

In the end, a reader comes away with a renewed appreciation for the physical size of the old Soviet Union and for the many human disruptions on its borderlands caused by czars and their heir Stalin. And, with Putin the border remains a pulsating one.

United States on Feb 28, 2021