Among the Russians

Among the Russians chronicles Colin Thubron's 10,000-mile solo journey through the western USSR in 1980, during the final decade of Soviet rule. Thubron drives his car from St. Petersburg through Russia's heartland, Ukraine, Georgia, and Armenia. The narrative combines observations of Soviet daily life with historical context and conversations with citizens from different backgrounds. Thubron visits collective farms, factories, churches, and homes, recording both the physical conditions and the mindset of people living under the Communist system. Through his encounters and experiences, Thubron documents the contradictions between official Soviet ideology and reality on the ground. His status as an outsider allows him to capture details that might escape notice from within the system. The book stands as a significant historical record of a pivotal time, revealing the complex relationship between state power and individual lives in the late Soviet period. Its themes of isolation, resilience, and the gap between propaganda and truth remain relevant to understanding Russia today.

Readers value Thubron's detailed observations and personal interactions during his 1980s car journey through the Soviet Union. Many note his ability to capture daily life, from cramped apartments to factory conditions, through conversations with ordinary citizens. Positive reviews highlight: - Rich descriptions of landscapes and architecture - Insights into Soviet mindset and culture - Balance between travelogue and social commentary - Clear, literary writing style Common criticisms: - Some passages focus too much on buildings/churches - Occasional political bias in observations - Can be slow-paced in certain sections Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (90+ ratings) "He brings Soviet-era Russia to life through small details and conversations" - Amazon reviewer "Too much architectural description, not enough about the people" - Goodreads reviewer "Captures both the grandeur and grimness of the USSR" - LibraryThing reviewer

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🌟 Author Colin Thubron undertook his journey through Russia in a small car during the height of the Cold War in 1980, when Western travelers were extremely rare in the Soviet Union. 🌟 Thubron spoke Russian fluently and traveled alone, allowing him unique access to ordinary citizens' lives and conversations that would have been impossible with translators or guides. 🌟 The book's journey covered over 10,000 miles, from the Baltic to the Caucasus, providing insights into both urban centers like Leningrad and remote rural villages. 🌟 Many of the locations and cultural practices Thubron documented have dramatically changed or disappeared since the book's publication, making it an important historical record of late Soviet life. 🌟 During his travels, Thubron posed as a teacher and writer to avoid suspicion, as foreign journalists were heavily restricted in their movements throughout the Soviet Union at the time.