Travels in Siberia Audiobook

" A very looong book--good one to take with you if you ever finding yourself taking the Trans-Sibedrian Railroad. Interesting tidbits of Siberian history interspersed with the author's travelogue. His travels, while of immense interest to him, reminded me of time spent hearing all about someone else's trip to a place to which you have no interest in ever travelling. "

" Long, but interesting. I loved his winter travel through the land more than his summer travel. "

" Overall, it was a decent read. It's hard to write an uninteresting book about such an interesting and conflicted place. I will agree with some others' reviews noting the fact that "Sandy" tends to be his own wet blanket in a lot of cases. He doesn't come off as a very agreeable traveler. He complains a great deal about smoking, pollution, drinking, and generally enjoying life, in many cases. Ultimately, the subject shines through; his knack for describing the grandeur of Siberia and for capturing both the poetry and discord of travel, along with his affinity for including numerous interesting asides saved the book from being mired in his quirks and priss. Did he, as he claimed, at the reading I attended, to have set out to, create a lasting work marrying Russian and American literature? Probably not. "

" I really enjoyed this book, it might help if you have an interest in Russian culture in general, but it also stands alone as a interesting, engaging travelogue. "

" I loved this book. Ian Frazier is an awesome author- he really knows how to write well and the subject is fascinating. "

" I really enjoyed this book. It transported me to some of the most remote places on earth while riding the train to and from work.. I almost wish I could visit some of these cities and towns on my own. Road trip anyone? "

" Listened to this as an audio book. Although he rambles at times, he is a good storyteller. It felt like he needed an editor at times, although on my long trip, I was grateful for all the CDs. The book is really like a history of Russia, structured as a travel book. "

" Worth reading, but maybe not every page "

" Superb travelogue, because it doesn't just focus on the crazy and adventurous. Sometimes travel can be banal and tedious, and even in these times, the author paints a realistic and inspiring story connecting then and now. "

" couldn't get with it, some parts in beginning very interesting "

" You'd probably be better served by reading his series of New Yorker articles on the same subject. "

" Beautifully written, and full of really fascinating history. But mostly it just made my heart yearn for Siberia. "

" How well written is this? Well, let's just say my new "dream" vacation is a westward trek through Alaska and into far eastern Russia, and all the way to St. Petersburg. Ian Frazier is THAT convincing. "

" I wish I was a travel writer... "

" Slow starting, but once his travels kick in, he paints some great tales of travel through a different world on the same planet. Some amazing people and some amazing stories. Truly an eclectic land and eclectic people. A shame that it is treated so poorly by the government and its own people. "

" Travel books aren't as entertaining when the author is cautious and unfunny. "

" This book was not a breeze to get through, much like I imagine a trip through Siberia would be-but I'm very glad that I finished it and I would recommend it as an interesting and unique read. "

" Slow and a bit dry at times, but very interesting. "

" An enjoyable read with a good mixture of history, trivia, and narrative but actually traveling with this guy sounds like it would be a nightmare. "

" If you read Ian Frazier's recent excerpts from this book in the New Yorker, you read the best stuff. Still, his chronicle of traversing the vastness of Russia is really compelling. "

" A rambling travel/history of Siberia. I found it fascinating. "

" Ian Frazier at his best -- part history, part travelogue, much adventure and color. I love this book. "

" I loved this book. Ian Frazier is an awesome author- he really knows how to write well and the subject is fascinating. "

" Important information related to this title: Stalin's daughter lives in a town less than 2 hrs away from me. "

" Like living a whole second life. "

" Like a very long and very good New Yorker article... funny, fascinating and (usually) well-written. "