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Review
'Kapuscinski's writing has achieved the status of literature.' Daily Telegraph -'The most passionate, engaging and historically profound account of the Soviet empire that I have read.' Michael Ignatieff -'Russia was a real threat which hung over the early part of Kapuscinski's life. It is hardly surprising that he understands Russia better, and writes about the country with greater clarity and beauty, than those who know Russia only as an abstraction.' Spectator
Product Description
"Imperium" is the story of an empire: the constellation of states that was submerged under a single identity for most of the twentieth century - the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. This is Kapuscinski's vivid, compelling and personal report on the life and death of the Soviet superpower, from the entrance of Soviet troops into his hometown in Poland in 1939, through his journey across desolate Siberia and the republics of Central Asia in the 1950s and 60s, to his wanderings over the vast Soviet lands - from Poland to the Pacific, the Arctic Circle to Afghanistan - in the years of the USSR's decline and final disintegration in 1991.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
After reading the first few pages I knew I would be forever a fan of Ryszard Kapuscinksi. Writing in a captivating and extremely enjoyable prose, Ryszard attempts to convey the recent history of the Soviet Union and more so its ressiliant and inhabitants. Travelling across the USSR as it begins to crumble, Ryszard describes the strength and endurance of those who survived the cold oppression of the soviet regime. After finishing this book I had the burning urge to read more of this brilliant journalist and can't wait to sample some of his other books.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Truly truly amazing book by a great journalist who went forth fearlessly where others would not dare. It starts in Pinsk, Poland in an area now called Belarus which was occupied by the USSR during Ryziards childhood and he describes the cruel deportation of 200 000 people to Siberia and how his family miraculously avoided it. He moves around to different parts of the USSR and there is always a great tale to tell about places most of us havent heard of from the oil fields of Azerbejan to the desert of Turkmenestan. Snippets of information, stories, anecdotes, for example how Stalin in his madness demolished the beautiful cathedral next to the Kremlin with a plan to build a skyscraper 5 times the size of the empire state building with a statue of Lenin atop. The incredible cruelty of Stalin's illiterate henchment is laid bare here with true stories from places that would be hell on earth in any circumstances. So bizarre, so interesting. Do read this if you are atall interested in the USSR it is great.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Ryszard Kapuscinski was an award winning international reporter who grew up in Poland and spent 40 years in Africa where he experienced 27 revolutions! Imperium is his account of life in the 'colonies' of the USSR before its break up. RK is a truly phenomenal writer who believes that you cannot write about something unless you have been there and experienced something 'with your own skin'. He is incapable of writing a dull word. The book consists of his travels to eg Ukraine, his experiences, observations and comments. What he sees and does is absolutely fascinating. He has the ability to capture the essence of a place through pen pictures so the reader really feels informed but his writing is utterly varied, lucid and descriptive. If you have an enquiring mind you will love this book. RK should have got the Nobel Prize for literature!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
THE PEOPLE SPEAK AND THE PEOPLE FEEL
There are many factors that have mythologised and romanticised Russia in the minds of many: of course, the veil of secrecy that has surrounded the place since before, during and... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Easily Me
Nothing Short of Brilliant, a unique and objective view of Soviet life
The Soviet Union was a closed and intriguing society. From that era there have come many great travel books, many thought-evoking political polemics and many excellent historical... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Book Republik
Surviving the Soviet Union...
A masterful collection of reportage from three different periods of the Imperium's existence, from domination to dynamic tension to dissolution. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Dr. G. SPORTON
Against the tyrrany of the fact: against tyrrany in fact
Perhaps his best book because it is about the Soviet-Bloc, his home-land, and hence about himself.
There is a contemporary hoo-hah about the journalistic accuracy of... Read more
There is a contemporary hoo-hah about the journalistic accuracy of... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Mr. N. Foale
Essential reading
Blessed with seemingly watermellon-sized balls and a talent for observing the detail , Mr . Kapuscinski lived an exciting and courageous life , travelling to the most unassuming... Read more
Published on 11 Feb 2010 by giovanni
A poet
Ryszard Kapuscinski has fast become one of my all time favourite writers since I discovered him last year. Read more
Published on 1 Oct 2009 by Melquiades
really great reading - gives limited insight
As stated in most of the reviews of this book, Kapuscinski is a great writer. If you have not read him already, read this book and understand why. Read more
Published on 6 Aug 2009 by Jan Øystein Thorsnæs
As It Is.
The first book i read by Ryszard Kapuscinski "THE SHADOW OF THE SUN" was without doubt the closest description of life in Africa written by a white man that i have read having... Read more
Published on 27 Mar 2009 by John Keaveney
The best book I have read about the old USSR
This is the very best book to encourage any interest in the former USSR it is a truly truly amazing book. Read more
Published on 13 Aug 2008 by Sally Wilton
Best ever book about the USSR
This is the very best book to encourage any interest in the former USSR it is a truly truly amazing book. Read more
Published on 6 Jun 2008 by Sally Wilton
Listmania!
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