No comments about Notes upon Russia: Being a Translation of the Earliest Account of that Country. Volume 1.

1 comments about Claws of the Crab: Georgia and Armenia in Crisis.

1. Book Review

   Brook, Stephen. Claws of the Crab: Georgia and Armenia in Crisis. Sinclair-Stevenson, 1992.

   This is another treasure of a book about the Caucasus that I unearthed from the bowels of the Wandsworth Public Library system in south London. Only one other person had borrowed it, back in September 1999 when I was working in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi. Reading this book, I discovered that Stephen Brook had got there before me when all the exciting stuff was happening at the start of the nineties. Independence from the Soviet Union, the overthrow of the tyrannical president Zviad Gamsakhurdia and the battles for Nagorno Karabakh - Brook was there or thereabouts. Studiedly sympathetic to the Armenians and guardedly admiring of the Georgians, Claws of the Crab is a rare eyewitness account of many of the events that made independent Georgia and Armenia what they are today. Suffice to say that there's been remarkably little change since the book's completion in 1992.

5 comments about Lonely Planet Russia, Ukraine and Belarus (Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit).

1. I'm an American living in Russia and travel extensively here because of my job. Despite wild currency changes and other idiosyncracies of this country, this book is amazingly accurate almost all of the time. Although it is short on photos, it is long history and practical advice. Don't come here without it -- especially if you're an independent traveller.



2. This book offers an interesting range of facts from russia, ukrane and belarus. The only problem is nobody in the Western World wants to go to any of these places as a result of the cold war. So that is why I give this book 1 star.



3. I found this book fascinating. It was great the way the writer bought into consideration the fact that no-one wants to travel to the places in question. When reading this book be sure to enquire at your local travel agent for any misconseptions. great book. 5 star



4. I lived in Russia for a year and traveled extensively in European Russia and Siberia and this book never failed me. Although prices fluctuated, everything else was absolutely accurate and very thoroughly researched. The writers went to enormous lengths to write what is hands-down the best travel guide to Russia. The new edition is due out this April. Mine is already on order.



5. I'm glad this book is not sold anymore! When my mother-in-law (a NZer) read it and then came with us to visit Kiev, Lviv, Moscow and some small and mid-sized cities and towns, she said she read your book, but LUCKILY didn't find it to be true!!!

   I think the author of the book needs to visit Ukraine and Russia soonish and re-write the book, or get some treatment for..., racism, cold war and a shield from what the media brings to your TV screens (everyone knows that only bad news and breakthroughs make news), so please use your brains!

   I read the book after my mother-in-law's remarks and was sick in my stomach, for quite a while.

No comments about Contemporary Photographic Art from Moscow = Zeitgenossische Fotokunst Aus Moskau: Zeitgenossische Fotokunst Aus Moskau / Herausgegeben Von Alexander Tolany (Art & Design).

1 comments about Russia: A Crossroads Between History and Nature (Exploring Countries of the Wor).

1. This is a great book if you are looking for an overview of the changes that have been happening in Russia, their culture, and social aspects! Great pictures also!

No comments about The Baltic Sea: Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Poland, Kaliningrad, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia.

1 comments about Empire of the Czar.

1. This is one of the most readable of the historical travelogs I've encountered. The prose is fresh, and the attitude contemporary. It comes with a Forward by Daniel Boorstin and an Introduction by George F. Kennan.
   
   The descriptions of entering the country, St. Petersburg, roads and traveling on them (treatment of horses, skill and attitude of drivers), the portraits of the overly polite short fused aristocracy and the many interesting conversations are very good. There are great descriptions of countryside, the architecture, the market at Ninjni, the plight of the peasants, and the continual plague of insects. There are ruminations on Russian history and comparisons of Russian and French culture, ethics and well being.
   
   The best, though is the author's take on the effects of the autocracy, and how the despotic attitude trickles down. For all his refined manners, the czar meets out swift, frequent and severe punishment. (Siberia and/or torture) and through his auspices, aristocrats and officials feel entitled to perform acts of great cruelty as well. Because those who are not being punished live in fear that they will be, Custine calls the Czar the jailer of !/3 of the world.
   
   One drawback of this book is that Custine repeats his analysis on the trickle down effects of the czar's power over and over again. The book is long, and about 200 pages are devoted to this very well thought out but overstated thesis. Another drawback for me was that while he did not stay long in Moscow, I would have liked more description of it.

No comments about Travels in Greece and Russia: With an Excursion to Crete.

2 comments about Where Nights Are Longest: Travels by Car Through Western Russia (Traveler).

1. This was one of the most captivating descriptions of an adventure I have ever read. Thubron has a most lyrical and classical narrative style and he depicts the Soviets with both cold objectivity and warm humanity. This has made me want to travel to Russia to see it all myself.



2. Colin Thubron's travels in Russia seem like one hallucinogenic experience after another and you cannot help but wonder if he is at least fudging with the truth a little bit. His writing is often quite dark and sinister, but I suppose it's because *he's travelling in Soviet Russia*. Also he tends to go on an on in eyelid-heavying excruciating detail about anything related to art: paintings, sculpture, music, literature, you name it. On the other hand, the book is informative (though not comprehensive), and it is in general a very good read. The experiences, true or not, are remarkable. Thubron's writing and language are also very good... I suspect he'd make a very good fiction writer (no sarcasm intended).

5 comments about Broken Empire : After the Fall of the USSR.

1. An incredible journey through the remains of the former Soviet Union both in pictures and words. Broken Empire puts the lie to the "Workers Paradise" promised by the USSR's once all-powerful communist regime, revealing the harsh realities of environmental and spiritual decay left in its wake. The images are dazzling and heartbreaking. A must see and read book for anyone who loves truth.

   JH




2. Contrary to the cover image of the book, this work clearly takes the blindfolds off in delivering a superb body of photographic work.

   I have been traveling to the former Soviet Union now for the past twenty-five years and have always been surprised by how ignorant the world was about this marvelous nation. Ludwig clearly has an intimate feel for the soul of this great world. The images breathe and display the majesty of this people and empire wonderfully, warts and all. This is not a tragic populace, but a noble collection of races and groups who share a common pride, humanism and patriotism with a unique perspective and outlook on life that is both refreshing and vital.
   
   I thought that the Western world would never get it right about the great land and her people, but Ludwig's masterpiece clearly and artfully reveals the nuances of an emerging colossus whose rightful place in history, commerce, politics, art and culture is assured by its dogged determinism to continue, to live, to strive to express the essence that is "Mother Russia".
   
   And to do all of this with photography...what an achievement!!




3. Broken Empire leaves an indelible mark on the memory. This stunning work presents a passionate and proud people, ravaged by the merciless process of political change. The book's coverage of the effect on the Russian environmental landscape alone, makes this a documentary of great importance. But most unforgettable, are the images which capture the entire spectrum of human experience that the nation's new self-image has imposed - from humiliation and despair, to dignity and triumph of the spirit against all odds - making this work an uncompromising testament to the historic realities of post-communistic Russia.



4. Gerd Ludwig photography is first-class but I wish written text had been as creative as the photographer's eye. Nothing to discredit the author, Fen Montaigne. But Fen, must you be so boring and bland. A single image captured a thousand words and your text was a dreadful mono-tone grounded in a yawning choice of vocabulary.

   If your looking for images and insight text read "The Home Planet" by Kevin W Kelley. Two different subject matters, but the written text illustrates where this book went astray.




5. astonishingly shocking at times and bland at others, is this the Russia of modern day or is this the image the author sees? Certainly the latter and probably not the former. Wonder how the people of Russia feel about this commentary in pictures on their existence? Bleak and disheartening comes to mind. Could a similar tome be assembled on America...of course if one looks hard enough at any topic the horror can be visualized.