Book Reflections – Sovietistan by Erika Fatland
Sovietistan: A Journey Through Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan by Erika Fatland is part travelogue, part potted history, and all enjoyable! Fatland travelled in spring and autumn through 5 … Continue reading
Book Reflections – The Silk Road by Sven Hedin
Sven Hedin was staying with the Swedish consulate in Peking in 1932 when he piqued the interest of the Chinese government. They commissioned him to build a team to draw … Continue reading
Book Reflections – In Siberia by Colin Thubron
I love the work of Colin Thubron. In Siberia is a fascinating account of Thubron’s journey across Siberia in 1997. This is the fourth book by Thubron that I’ve enjoyed. … Continue reading
Book Reflections – Come Away With Me edited by Sarah MacDonald
I bought this anthology of travel stories by Australian writers secondhand for a few dollars. I was attracted to it because it was edited by Sarah MacDonald, who I used … Continue reading
Book Reflections – Slowly Down the Ganges by Eric Newby
This is the third book by Eric Newby that I’ve read. I was attracted to this book because Newby was accompanied by his wife Wanda on this journey of over … Continue reading
Book Reflections – Riding the Iron Rooster by Paul Theroux
I enjoyed reading Dark Star Safari by Paul Theroux. I didn’t much enjoy Pillars of Hercules. I’m yet to read the Great Railway Bazaar and the Patagonian Express. Most recently I … Continue reading
Book Reflections – On Horseback Through Asia Minor by Fred Burnaby
The book opens in the characteristic way of Burnaby’s writing, without any introduction, that I found in A Ride to Khiva. Frederick Burnaby wrote this book about his thousand-mile winter journey … Continue reading
Book Reflections – Country Driving by Peter Hessler
Peter Hessler worked in China from 2000 to 2007 for The New Yorker but he had already moved to China in 1996 with the Peace Corps. He applied for and … Continue reading
Book Reflections – Behind the Wall by Colin Thubron
Colin Thubron is my favourite travel writer. Thubron travelled 10,000 miles around China in 1987 from Beijing all the way down the coast to Guangzhou, to Jinghong on the border with Burma, … Continue reading
Book Reflections – Tomorrow to be Brave by Susan Travers
Susan Travers was awarded 12 medals for her bravery and service to the Free French Army in WWII. After the war she joined the French Foreign Legion so that she … Continue reading
