The Border: A Journey Around Russia Through North Korea, China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Norway, and the Northeast Passage
- Downloads：6195
- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2022-05-01 06:51:48
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Erika Fatland
- ISBN：1643139495
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
- Download
Summary
The acclaimed author of Sovietistan travels along the seemingly endless Russian border and reveals the deep and pervasive influence it has had across half the globe。
Imperial， communist or autocratic， Russia has been—and remains—a towering and intimidating neighbor。 Whether it is North Korea in the Far East through the former Soviet republics in Asia and the Caucasus， or countries on the Caspian Ocean and the Black Sea。 What would it be like to traverse the entirety of the Russian periphery to examine its effects on those closest to her？
An astute and brilliant combination of lyric travel writing and modern history， The Border is a book about Russia without its author ever entering Russia itself。 Fatland gets to the heart of what it has meant to be the neighbor of that mighty， expanding empire throughout history。 As we follow Fatland on her journey， we experience the colorful， exciting， tragic and often unbelievable histories of these bordering nations along with their cultures， their people， their landscapes。
Sharply observed and wholly absorbing， The Border is a surprising new way to understand a broad part our world。
Imperial， communist or autocratic， Russia has been—and remains—a towering and intimidating neighbor。 Whether it is North Korea in the Far East through the former Soviet republics in Asia and the Caucasus， or countries on the Caspian Ocean and the Black Sea。 What would it be like to traverse the entirety of the Russian periphery to examine its effects on those closest to her？
An astute and brilliant combination of lyric travel writing and modern history， The Border is a book about Russia without its author ever entering Russia itself。 Fatland gets to the heart of what it has meant to be the neighbor of that mighty， expanding empire throughout history。 As we follow Fatland on her journey， we experience the colorful， exciting， tragic and often unbelievable histories of these bordering nations along with their cultures， their people， their landscapes。
Sharply observed and wholly absorbing， The Border is a surprising new way to understand a broad part our world。
Reviews
Murilo Silva
，
A good travelogue， but because it talks about so many countries and about their relationship to the Soviet Union/Russia as fulcrum point in their history， the book gets massive and repetitive （forced dislodging， forced labor， famines， anti-Soviet resistance…）。The other issue here is the ridiculously excessive name dropping。 I don’t feel like I learned a lot about all these countries because each has only a few chapters that cover centuries of history。 So unless you memorize 600 pages worth of na A good travelogue， but because it talks about so many countries and about their relationship to the Soviet Union/Russia as fulcrum point in their history， the book gets massive and repetitive （forced dislodging， forced labor， famines， anti-Soviet resistance…）。The other issue here is the ridiculously excessive name dropping。 I don’t feel like I learned a lot about all these countries because each has only a few chapters that cover centuries of history。 So unless you memorize 600 pages worth of names， dates， and events in non-chronological order， it’s hard to actually grasp and truly learn。 This does not happen with Sovietistan because it’s a huge book for 5 countries only。 。。。more
AbstractPopcorn
，
Expertly translated， this is a very interesting travelogue/history of the countries and regions that border Russia。 I have to admit， by the time the author got to Poland， I skipped ahead， as all the history was blurring together and all the current history was the same （massacres， WWII， etc。）。 BUT the first 2/3 or so was very educational。 I had no idea the Mongol Empire spread as far west as Poland and as far south as Vietnam！ And， relevant to our times， I also did not know that the part of Ukra Expertly translated， this is a very interesting travelogue/history of the countries and regions that border Russia。 I have to admit， by the time the author got to Poland， I skipped ahead， as all the history was blurring together and all the current history was the same （massacres， WWII， etc。）。 BUT the first 2/3 or so was very educational。 I had no idea the Mongol Empire spread as far west as Poland and as far south as Vietnam！ And， relevant to our times， I also did not know that the part of Ukraine that Russia is currently attacking （the Donbas region） is heavily populated by Russians and actually is a non-officially recognized （by Ukraine or Russia） breakaway region， voting for independence from Ukraine in 2014。 （Googling this to confirm the date came up with this from the Washington Post: "Feb 21， 2022 — Days before invading Ukraine in February， Russian President Vladimir Putin formally recognized the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk。"）The book is interesting and worth reading。 But the history is grim， with thousands and thousands of people slaughtered wholesale in most of these countries throughout history。 So it's a little numbing as well。 。。。more
P M E
，
4。5。 Excellent writing， fluidly weaves through history， travelogue， foreign policy， and especially the perspectives of those she meets。 Observes without inserting herself。 Exactly the kind of book I'd love to be able to write。 A great credit to the author making it seem easy。 4。5。 Excellent writing， fluidly weaves through history， travelogue， foreign policy， and especially the perspectives of those she meets。 Observes without inserting herself。 Exactly the kind of book I'd love to be able to write。 A great credit to the author making it seem easy。 。。。more
Mairi Walker
，
This is my dream book。 I loved the mix of historical and political context with Erika's observations and experiences。 （I read it in English， but somehow added the Norwegian（？） version on Goodreads。） This is my dream book。 I loved the mix of historical and political context with Erika's observations and experiences。 （I read it in English， but somehow added the Norwegian（？） version on Goodreads。） 。。。more
Daniel Peña
，
Quien haya leído "Sovietistán" encontrará aquí un libro muy similar， tan bueno como el anterior。 Para quien no haya leído nada de Fatland， decir que "La Frontera" es un libro de viajes donde se combinan geografía， historia， etnografía， sociología。。。 todo ello en forma de descripciones y， sobre todo， entrevistas， muchas entrevistas。 El motivo principal del viaje es conocer cómo los países vecinos de Rusia se relacionan con dicho gigante。 El lector descubrirá que Rusia es ahora lo que ha sido siem Quien haya leído "Sovietistán" encontrará aquí un libro muy similar， tan bueno como el anterior。 Para quien no haya leído nada de Fatland， decir que "La Frontera" es un libro de viajes donde se combinan geografía， historia， etnografía， sociología。。。 todo ello en forma de descripciones y， sobre todo， entrevistas， muchas entrevistas。 El motivo principal del viaje es conocer cómo los países vecinos de Rusia se relacionan con dicho gigante。 El lector descubrirá que Rusia es ahora lo que ha sido siempre， un Estado amenazador y amenazante con el que no es nada fácil convivir。 Muy recomendable como lectura amena， pero también para todos aquellos que quieran aprender más sobre Rusia y sus vecinos。 。。。more
Sabrina
，
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 Ho viaggiato con la scrittrice， seppur mentalmente， un bellissimo lungo viaggio intorno alla Russia e ritrovarmi a leggere "La frontiera" in questo particolare momento storico gli ha dato un valore aggiunto！ Ho viaggiato con la scrittrice， seppur mentalmente， un bellissimo lungo viaggio intorno alla Russia e ritrovarmi a leggere "La frontiera" in questo particolare momento storico gli ha dato un valore aggiunto！ 。。。more
Marc Martorell Pujol
，
Absolutament fascinant la manera com flueix l'escriptura de l'Erika Garland， segurament com a conseqüència de la meva ignorància històrica la història m'ha atrapat fins a la darrera pagina。 Absolutament fascinant la manera com flueix l'escriptura de l'Erika Garland， segurament com a conseqüència de la meva ignorància històrica la història m'ha atrapat fins a la darrera pagina。 。。。more
Bruno Pauwels
，
Twee jaar nadat Rusland de Krim annexeerde， reide de auteur de （toenmalige） Russische grens af van het zuidoosten naar het noordwesten。Bij de instorting van het Sovjetimperium verloor Rusland ongeveer 20 procent van zijn grondgebied en meer dan de helft van het aantal inwoners。Het verliezen en toe-eigenen van grondgebied en inwoners loopt als een rode draad door de Russische geschiedenis。 Veel van die conflicten sluimeren nog en hebben gevolgen voor vandaag。Geen grens is definitief。 Dit boek gee Twee jaar nadat Rusland de Krim annexeerde， reide de auteur de （toenmalige） Russische grens af van het zuidoosten naar het noordwesten。Bij de instorting van het Sovjetimperium verloor Rusland ongeveer 20 procent van zijn grondgebied en meer dan de helft van het aantal inwoners。Het verliezen en toe-eigenen van grondgebied en inwoners loopt als een rode draad door de Russische geschiedenis。 Veel van die conflicten sluimeren nog en hebben gevolgen voor vandaag。Geen grens is definitief。 Dit boek geeft een goed inzicht in welke drijfveren en verhaallijnen vandaag spelen in veel Russische hoofden en de hoofden van hun buren。 。。。more
Roberta
，
"La frontiera" è un libro di viaggi che riesce davvero a far viaggiare il lettore。 Per scriverlo Erika Fatland ha intrapreso un lungo viaggio che dalla Corea del nord l'ha portata fino alla Norvegia lungo gli oltre ventimila chilometri del confine russo e mentre leggevo avevo la sensazione di trovarmi io stessa， di volta in volta， in Cina， in Mongolia， in Kazakistan， in Ucraina e in tutti gli altri paesi che confinano con la Russia。La scrittrice utilizza uno stile semplice e lineare， capace di a "La frontiera" è un libro di viaggi che riesce davvero a far viaggiare il lettore。 Per scriverlo Erika Fatland ha intrapreso un lungo viaggio che dalla Corea del nord l'ha portata fino alla Norvegia lungo gli oltre ventimila chilometri del confine russo e mentre leggevo avevo la sensazione di trovarmi io stessa， di volta in volta， in Cina， in Mongolia， in Kazakistan， in Ucraina e in tutti gli altri paesi che confinano con la Russia。La scrittrice utilizza uno stile semplice e lineare， capace di alternare eventi storici ed esperienze personali senza annoiare mai。 Nonostante le 650 pagine non ho mai avuto un calo di interesse。 Mi è， anzi， capitato spesso durante il giorno di anelare il momento in cui avrei potuti rimettermi a viaggiare con la Fatland。Grazie a questo libro ho avuto modo di scoprire storie， luoghi， popoli e tradizioni che non conoscevo o verso i quali non avevo mai provato particolare interesse。 La lettura mi ha dato soprattutto la possibilità di calarmi a fondo in un tema che oggi， aprile 2022， è molto attuale: i segni della vicinanza con la Russia che ogni paese porta su di sè， il sentimento popolare， le divergenze tra popoli confinanti。La sensazione che mi ha accompagnata per tutto il tempo è "entusiasmo": per i viaggi， per la possibilità di conoscere posti e storie sconosciuti， per materie come la storia e la geografia。E' uno dei libri più belli e interessanti che abbia mai letto。Lo consiglio a chiunque abbia voglia di uscire fuori dai propri confini e di scoprire nuove realtà， a chi ha voglia di vedere cosa c'è alle spalle dell'attuale vicenda Ucraina-Russia in modo tale essere fruitore consapevole delle notizie di cui ogni giorno veniamo bombardati。"Le nazioni non hanno memoria; non hanno ferite da rimarginare， nè cicatrici。 Le cicatrici se le porta addosso la gente comune， una persona， un'altra， un'altra ancora， milioni di persone。" 。。。more
Grace Hoffmann
，
Very readable account of the author's journey around the entire border of Russia -- including the Arctic and Ukraine （circa 2018？）。 Some history but just as much about her travel and how the places she travels through are right now。 I really liked it although it's very long。 As a Norwegian， she has a different perspective than an American would。 Very readable account of the author's journey around the entire border of Russia -- including the Arctic and Ukraine （circa 2018？）。 Some history but just as much about her travel and how the places she travels through are right now。 I really liked it although it's very long。 As a Norwegian， she has a different perspective than an American would。 。。。more
Charlotte
，
Really interesting in parts， and Erika Fatland has a nice readable writing style （or her translator does！）， but it was never quite clear what she wanted this book to be。 Is it a travelogue？ A geopolitical inquiry？ A history？ A geographic survey？ There are bits of each， which is fine， but the the end result was a little jumbled。 （Her stated intent was to describe what it is like to be Russia's neighbor。） She's at her best in travelogue mode， describing the weirdness of journeying through impossib Really interesting in parts， and Erika Fatland has a nice readable writing style （or her translator does！）， but it was never quite clear what she wanted this book to be。 Is it a travelogue？ A geopolitical inquiry？ A history？ A geographic survey？ There are bits of each， which is fine， but the the end result was a little jumbled。 （Her stated intent was to describe what it is like to be Russia's neighbor。） She's at her best in travelogue mode， describing the weirdness of journeying through impossibly remote and foreign places like North Korea， Russia's Northeast Passage， Mongolia， and Azerbaijan。 Things drag a bit in some of the history sections - a 19-page chapter about Gustaf Mannerheim？？ - and I would have very much appreciated better （color！） maps and more photos。 Overall a little disappointing， especially since I thoroughly enjoyed her previous book， Sovietistan。 。。。more
Åsne Andersen
，
En aktuell bok om Russlands naboland som anbefales alle å lese！ Men jeg anbefaler ikke å høre den på lydbok som jeg gjorde - tidvis vanskelig å følge med på med så mange nye stedsnavn， historiske hendelser og stadig nye personer。 Ville heller lest den mer langsomt på papir。
Mac
，
Didn't enjoy this one as much as Sovietistan， as some of the history sections got a little dull。 Still engaging and interesting， especially in early 2022。 Didn't enjoy this one as much as Sovietistan， as some of the history sections got a little dull。 Still engaging and interesting， especially in early 2022。 。。。more
Jean Keatley
，
Fascinating， informative and timely。 The author travels through all 14 countries that border Russia， all of which have been invaded by Russia except Norway
Alex
，
Nearly 600 pages long and I read it in a week。 Damn good book。
Travellinckx
，
One of the most satisfying travelogues that I've read so far One of the most satisfying travelogues that I've read so far 。。。more
Johann Guenther
，
FATLAND， Erika: „Die Grenze。 Eine Reise rund um Russland durch Nordkorea， China， die Mongolei， Kasachstan， Aserbaidschan， Georgien， die Ukraine， Weißrussland， Litauen， Polen， Lettland， Estland， Finnland， Norwegen sowie die Nordostpassage“， Berlin 2020 Ich war fasziniert von diesem Buch， wie es Eindrücke und historische Hintergründe der Nachbarländer Russlands wiedergibt。 Man versteht die Vorgangsweise Russlands nach diesem Buch anders。Ich bin begeistert von Frau Fatland und ihrem Stil zu erzähle FATLAND， Erika: „Die Grenze。 Eine Reise rund um Russland durch Nordkorea， China， die Mongolei， Kasachstan， Aserbaidschan， Georgien， die Ukraine， Weißrussland， Litauen， Polen， Lettland， Estland， Finnland， Norwegen sowie die Nordostpassage“， Berlin 2020 Ich war fasziniert von diesem Buch， wie es Eindrücke und historische Hintergründe der Nachbarländer Russlands wiedergibt。 Man versteht die Vorgangsweise Russlands nach diesem Buch anders。Ich bin begeistert von Frau Fatland und ihrem Stil zu erzählen。 Auf dieses Buch hatte ich mich schon gefreut und ich wurde wieder nicht enttäuscht。 Eine großartige Frau， die sich ausgefallenste Reisen getraut zu machen und dann noch sehr anschaulich erzählen kann。 Nicht nur das， was sie gesehen hatte， sondern auch Hintergrundinformationen und Geschichte。 Da steckt viel Recherchearbeit dahinter， die aber sehr leicht lesbar verpackt ist。Es geht um die Nachbarländer von Russland。 Einerseits ein Bericht ihrer Reise und andererseits eine historische Abhandlung。 So erfährt man gleich zu Beginn （oder sollte man das wissen？）， dass alle europäischen Großmächte Kolonien besaßen。 Nur Russland nicht。 Russland dehnte sein Reich laufend aus。 „Von der Machtübernahme der Romanows1613 an war das russische Imperium im Schnitt jeden einzelnen Tag über hundert Quadratkilometer gewachsen。“ （Seite 117） Viele Erweiterungen passierten ohne Krieg。 Die asiatische Erweiterung brachten russische Pelzhändler， die immer weiter vorrückten， um von den Einheimischen zu günstigen Preisen Pelze zu kaufen， die im Westen viel wert waren。 Im ersten Kapitel wird die Fahrt mit einem Schiff entlang der Nordküste Russlands beschrieben。 Die Fahrt begann in der Beringstraße in Anadyr und ging bis Murmansk im Westen。 Sie dauerte für die über 10。000 Kilometer vier Wochen。 Am Schiff waren 47 Passagiere。 Durchwegs alte Menschen， die aber Weltenbummler waren und viel von ihren Reisen zu erzählen hatten。 Vier Wochen gab es kein Internet und kein Telefon。 Angelegt wurde in ehemaligen Wetterstationen oder Dörfern。 Auf der Reise gab es nur Ruhe und manchmal Eisbären， Robben oder Seelöwen。 Eine Reise， auf der es nicht allzu viel Abwechslung gab。 Dafür liefert die Autorin viel Geschichtliches über die Eroberung der östlichen Teile Russlands und den Positionen im Norden。 Vier Wochen ohne Internet， ohne Telefon und ohne Nachrichten aus der Welt sind ein Erlebnis der besonderen Art。Im Laufe des Jahres hatte sie 20。000 Kilometer entlang der russischen Grenze mit Hilfe von Inlandsflügen， Schnellzügen， Kleinbussen， Pferden， Taxis， Lastschiffen， Kajaks und zu Fuß zurückgelegt。 Sie war durch 14 Länder und 3 abtrünnige Republiken gereist。 „Keines der Länder， die ich besucht habe， war ohne Wunden oder Narben in Folge der Nachbarschaft zu Russland。“ （Seite 601） Sie wagt auch eine Prognose， wenn sie schreibt: „Das größte Land der Erde hat nur geringes Selbstvertrauen， wirtschaftlich geht es bergab， die Bevölkerung schrumpft。 Der Bedarf nach Selbstbehauptung und Anerkennung ist umso größer。 … Das russische Imperium wurde so groß， gerade weil die jeweiligen Herrscher jederzeit alle sich bietenden Möglichkeiten ergriffen， um die Grenzen zu erweitern， koste es， was es wolle。 Nur selten vermieden sie dabei Brutalität， schmutzige Tricks oder auch einen weiteren Krieg。“ （Seite 602） „Langfristig ist es schwer zu beurteilen， ob Russland in einer Generation， in hundert oder zweihundert Jahren mit seinen nahezu zweihundert ethnischen Gruppen und Nationalitäten， mit seinen siebzehn Millionen Quadratkilometern und seinen sechzigtausend Kilometer langen Grenzen als ein zusammenhängendes Ganzes weiterhin existieren kann。“ （Seite 603）Viele Grenzen wurden bei dieser Reise überschritten und daher möchte ich hier die Definition der Autorin von Grenze wiedergeben: „Eine Grenze zu überqueren， gehört zu den faszinierendsten Dingen， die es gibt。 Geographisch gesehen ist der Schritt minimal， nahezu mikroskopisch。 Man bewegt sich nur einige wenige Meter， doch man befindet sich plötzlich in einem anderen Universum。 Manchmal ist absolut alles anders， vom Alphabet und der Währung bis hin zu Gesichtern， Farben， Geschmäckern， bedeutenden Jahreszahlen und den Namen， die die Menschen anerkennend nicken lassen。“ （Seite 223）Meine Buchbesprechung ist etwas lang geworden， aber das Buch ist mit über 600 Seiten auch dick。 Fast jedes der 14 hier beschriebenen russischen Nachbarländer würde ein eigenes Buch ergeben。 。。。more
LightWorker
，
This is quite a sad book to read in 2022。。。For those unfamiliar with the Author's works， this and her previous book [Sovietistan] are part travelogue of， and part History of the Countries she visits。 This book covers her journeys thorough the many Countries and regions that border Russia。Having really enjoyed her first book， I was hoping I'd enjoy this one as much。 And whilst I did。。。 somewhat， this seemed to lack a lot of the humour I really enjoyed from Sovietistan。 There seemed a lot more foc This is quite a sad book to read in 2022。。。For those unfamiliar with the Author's works， this and her previous book [Sovietistan] are part travelogue of， and part History of the Countries she visits。 This book covers her journeys thorough the many Countries and regions that border Russia。Having really enjoyed her first book， I was hoping I'd enjoy this one as much。 And whilst I did。。。 somewhat， this seemed to lack a lot of the humour I really enjoyed from Sovietistan。 There seemed a lot more focus of the History of the countries rather than the traveling experiences through them （which I still enjoyed， it was just a thing that I noted）。The Chapter about Ukraine was especially sad reading considering what is happening there at the moment。 Many places currently in conflict were visited in this book， even the breakaway republics。 There were definitely warning signs even here， the Author doing a great job researching the History of not only this， but all the Countries she visited。But yeah as I said a little above， the travelling part seems a little lacking with this book。 There's still lots of fun experiences & characters met along the way， but this book trails a little behind her previous book in my opinion。 。。。more
Anne-Trine
，
Another great read， but a tad long。
Daren
，
I read this while on a brief holiday in the south of the South Island （of New Zealand）， and found it hard to put down。 I am not sure what I expected， but this was less academic and far more readable than I anticipated from a book slightly under 600 pages。 It is obviously topical with the ongoing war in Ukraine， and having read the section of this book which deals with Ukraine - has been foreshadowed strongly。 For the largest part this is a travel book， which is likely where the enjoyment has ram I read this while on a brief holiday in the south of the South Island （of New Zealand）， and found it hard to put down。 I am not sure what I expected， but this was less academic and far more readable than I anticipated from a book slightly under 600 pages。 It is obviously topical with the ongoing war in Ukraine， and having read the section of this book which deals with Ukraine - has been foreshadowed strongly。 For the largest part this is a travel book， which is likely where the enjoyment has ramped up for me。 It explains the authors journey through the many counties and territories， and the things she sees， the people she talks to。 The reason for her journey however， is to determine how sharing a border with Russia effects these countries and how their experiences compare。 This of course is driven by the history each country has with Russia （or the Soviet Union）， and therefore history is threaded through the narrative。 For me as a reader Erika Fatland has got the mix exactly right - just enough history to support the analysis without the unessential coming through。Coming from Norway， one of the fourteen countries which border Russia， Fatland has a direct connection with her topic， and speaking fluent Russian （as well as seven other languages！！） offers her a huge advantage over other non-Russian speaking travellers in many （but not all） of the borderlands。 Trained as an anthropologist， she has written previous books， including her first travel book Sovietistan， published in 2015， was an account of her travels through five post-Soviet Central Asian nations， Kazakhstan， Tajikistan， Kyrgyzstan， Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan - this is on my to-obtain list。 The Border was published in 2017 （in Norwegian） and in English in 2020。 To put this in context， Russia had annexed Crimea （2014） and Donetsk and Lugansk had announced themselves as People's Republics （only Russia recognises these breakaway states of the Ukraine）。Fatland is not afraid of mixing her timeline， throwing us into the final part of her journey first - a voyage along the Northern coastline of Russia - amusingly for me with an expedition company from New Zealand owned and operated by a friend， which does Antarctic， sub-Antarctic and Russian ship expeditions。 By chance Fatland secures a place on the first Northeast Passage trip they run （although not right now！）， which drew me into this book， having that personal connection。She then jumps back to the first place she visits on her twenty-thousand-kilometre journey， North Korea， and takes us from the end of that countries travels to the beginning！ Then， enough of this time-shifting， she plays out the remainder of her journey in a more time-linear fashion。She has managed to interview many people in the course of her travels， many controversial or speaking out at risk to themselves， so we are told names and details are frequently altered to provide them protection。 Most speak out against the oppression and corruption of their respective governments。 In places， due to travel restrictions， Fatland is forced to take group tours （North Korea， Chernobyl， Baikonur Cosmodrome）， and at times roughs it in very poor accommodation， it is largely for short periods of time。 For the most part she stays in good， but modest accommodation， as you would want when travelling extensively over a period of three years！More than anything， this book demonstrates the breadth of difference between those countries bordering Russia。 From east to west they couldn't be more different， and while at times the change from country to country is gradual， sometimes it is not。 This perhaps drives home how complex the running of the Soviet Union must have been - to deal with such diverse cultures and peoples and to attempt to homogenise them was an impossible task， as we have seen over the years with the inability to reconcile with the Muslim population in Chechnya and Ingushetia。I didn't note specific memorable anecdotes while reading， as the whole book was just so well-flowing （which must be testament to the translation）， so I haven't identified any quotes， and I see that this book has not yet hit the popularity on GR that it deserves - no quotes on here either。I can certainly recommend this book - particularly for those with more interest in travel than history; or those who only want a short relevant history to accompany their travel; or those who want the overview to the question - how has bordering Russia effected life in adjacent countries？ For those looking for academic or deep history， you may come away without enough information to satisfy。5 stars。 。。。more
Víctor Santiago Blanco
，
Un retrato de la Rusia actual de Putin a través de sus vecinos。 Fatland intercala fragmentos históricos， tanto de historia medieval y moderna， como de contemporánea， con pequeñas entrevistas y crónica de viajes/periodística de las peripecias que le toca vivir。 Va muy bien para entender los conflictos que conciernen a los países postsoviéticos， como la guerra de Nagorno-Karabakh o la actual invasión de Ucrania， invasión que la propia Fatland prevé posible y no muy lejana， ya en 2018。
Meag McHugh
，
Perfect way to learn about all the countries surrounding Russia， and Russia itself。 It’s nearly 600 pages but it goes fast if you’re into learning about history and other cultures。 I really enjoyed the author’s writing style and the way she brought a lot of her interview subjects alive on the page。
Tim Richards
，
Fascinating read。 The author took a mammoth journey around the edges of the entire frontier of Russia， passing through every country it borders and reflecting on the way Russia has influenced or interacted with them。 Full of intriguing history， and obviously very relevant to the current European situation。
Lindinio
，
Eines der schönsten und interessantesten Bücher， die je geschenkt bekommen habe。 Wieder einmal machte sich die norwegische Autorin Erika Fatland auf die Reise。 Dieses Mal besuchte sie alle angrenzenden Länder an Russland。 Angefangen bei Nordkorea bis in die baltischen Staaten， berichtet sie über Land und Leute und deren Verhältnis zum russischen Nachbarstaat。
Karen
，
This is a well-written and painstakingly-researched book about the countries bordering Russia and how each is affected by their behemoth neighbor。 The chapters on Ukraine and its breakaway regions are of particular interest and importance in light of Russia's current intentions and actions there。 This is a must-read for anyone who wishes to better understand both the historical context and evolving political climate in a highly volatile part of the world。 This is a well-written and painstakingly-researched book about the countries bordering Russia and how each is affected by their behemoth neighbor。 The chapters on Ukraine and its breakaway regions are of particular interest and importance in light of Russia's current intentions and actions there。 This is a must-read for anyone who wishes to better understand both the historical context and evolving political climate in a highly volatile part of the world。 。。。more
Piyush Sakorikar
，
All the details about that area is completely described The narration also have emotional and motivational touch which never make this travelog， a monotonous one。
Jules
，
Gerne gelesen
Alison
，
Erroneously rated this halfway through， but now I'm finished I'm giving this 5 stars。 Another fascinating book from the author of Sovietistan， this time she circumnavigates Russia to find out about the experiences of living in the neighbouring areas。 She returns to a couple of people / places that she previously met during the fieldwork for Sovietistan and that is especially interesting。 Erroneously rated this halfway through， but now I'm finished I'm giving this 5 stars。 Another fascinating book from the author of Sovietistan， this time she circumnavigates Russia to find out about the experiences of living in the neighbouring areas。 She returns to a couple of people / places that she previously met during the fieldwork for Sovietistan and that is especially interesting。 。。。more
Sarah Keig
，
For someone who usually spends a good portion of the year travelling the last two years have been really tough。 In order to get my travel fix I’ve read so many travel books and The Border was definitely my favourite。 It is such an easy read， full of history， culture and anecdotes about the authors travels。 Having visited a number of the destinations I was taken right back to my own experiences。 For the destinations I haven’t been to I really want to visit them after reading this book。 I can’t re For someone who usually spends a good portion of the year travelling the last two years have been really tough。 In order to get my travel fix I’ve read so many travel books and The Border was definitely my favourite。 It is such an easy read， full of history， culture and anecdotes about the authors travels。 Having visited a number of the destinations I was taken right back to my own experiences。 For the destinations I haven’t been to I really want to visit them after reading this book。 I can’t recommend enough。 。。。more
Jovi Ene
，