In Search of Kazakhstan: The Land that Disappeared [Paperback]

"Magnificent... a consummate and classic portrait of one of the great picaresque personalities of the twentieth century" Simon Callow, Guardian "A complete delight" William Boyd, Daily Telegraph "Hilarious and unexpectedly moving" The Times"

'extremely entertaining and informative...hilarious.'

`Cracking tale...both hysterically funny and surprisingly
moving...you will savour every page.'

AS SEEN ON RICHARD AND JUDY. The only thing most people know about Kazakhstan is that homeland to Borat - and he isn't even real. Actually this vast place - the last unknown inhabited country in the world - is far more surprising and entertaining. For one thing, it is as varied as Europe, combining stupendous wealth, grinding poverty, exotic traditions and a mad dash for modernity. Crisscrossing a vanished land, Christopher Robbins finds Eminem by a shrinking Aral Sea, goes eagle-hunting by helicopter, visits the scene of Dostoyevsky's doomed first love, takes up residence beside one-time neighbour Leon Trotsky and visits some of the most beautiful, unspoilt places on earth.

Christopher Robbins is the author of five non-fiction books, including the award-winning The Empress of Ireland. He became intrigued by Kazakhstan sitting on an aeroplane next to an American from Arkansas on his way there to collect an Internet bride.