Time To Head To Siberia – by The Legendary Trans-Siberian Railroad!
With the sobering news about Russia’s aggressive actions toward the country of Ukraine, I went back to a book I read that talks about life in this remote and expansive country.
I love when travel books delve into the real lives of the people who live in the country being visited. In this case, a terrific book heard from the people of Russia about life there – and what they think of the US as well!
Midnight In Siberia! by David Greene
Here is how Amazon described the book:
“Travels with NPR host David Greene along the Trans-Siberian Railroad capture an overlooked, idiosyncratic Russia in the age of Putin.
Far away from the trendy cafés, designer boutiques, and political protests and crackdowns in Moscow, the real Russia exists.”
“Midnight in Siberia” chronicles David Greene’s journey on the Trans-Siberian Railway, a 6,000-mile cross-country trip from Moscow to the Pacific port of Vladivostok. In quadruple-bunked cabins and stopover towns sprinkled across the country’s snowy landscape, Greene speaks with ordinary Russians about how their lives have changed in the post-Soviet years.
What makes the book so compelling is that each chapter is named for a person he meets – it’s not a travelogue, it’s the story of a major superpower coming to terms with the past, present and future – Russians have endured far more challenges than we realize, and the people you meet are interesting – concerned for the future but proud of who they are. It’s a terrific book!
The book makes a clear case for why conflicts like this begin – because everyday Russians suffer far more than we are made aware of every day…and they are bombarded by misinformation to justify their hardships….not unlike North Korea:
This compelling book tells of life inside North Korea, where citizens are brainwashed from birth to believe all of the lies and deception of a Dictator…where personal freedoms don’t exist, and where the rest of the world is blamed for their leader’s lack of leadership.
Read more about this powerful book here:
As for the Russia story, it’s a fascinating country. I’ve taken you to Siberia before – remember the coldest city on earth? It’s -88 degrees here! You can see where I am by clicking here:
I also shared an amazing documentary about a year in the life of Siberians:
This incredible film is from Werner Herzog, who took an 8-hour Russian TV series and turned it into a compelling look at life in Siberia – see it here:
Finally, I have also taken you on many other trains as well, to places like this:
Yes, the legendary Travel Writer Paul Theroux took a train through Russia and ended up at the top of the world! click here to see where he ended up:
Check out “Midnight In Siberia” – it’s terrific insight into Russia…
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Categories: Books / Media, documentary films, Exotic Travel, Memoirs, Politics, Travel, Travel Adventures, Travel Memoir
johnrieber 
I prefer reading a book written by an author who uses the people living in the precise situation rather than what an author thinks it’s like. It provides instant credibility for readers.
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I hope you didn’t misunderstand – that’s exactly what he did…he travelled by train through Russia and stayed with real people from all parts of the country and shared how they live their lives…
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No, I got it. That’s why I’m interested. Thanks for sharing, John.
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perfect timing
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Yes, I read this book a few years ago, and the vast majority of the country lives a “day to day” existence…worth understanding as you see this drumbeat of war grow louder.
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that’s such a hard way to live
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I remember this! What a perfect time to highlight this book again and the stories of the people who live there. Those frozen eyelashes…
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With all of this “war talk”, some may be interested to read about actual life inside Russia…far but what their aggressive stance suggests…thank you for the comment.
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So true! You’re welcome, John.
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To understand the situation in Ukraine, you have to go back a long time, and know the history. Most people currently criticising Putin or supporting Ukraine are blissfully unaware of the centuries of history that have formed the complex issues still faced today.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes Pete, very valid. Sadly, far too much of our news is through filters that manipulate and distort…that said, war is never a solution, only a disastrous distraction that will prove fatal for far too many innocent people caught in the middle of this
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