Until the early 1990s, when the Berlin Wall came tumbling down, travelling behind the iron curtain was never easy. In undertaking his new journey through Eastern Europe, breathing in its rich history, filming its exquisite sights and talking to its diverse peoples, Michael fills what has been a void in his own experience and that of very many of his own generation. As in all his series, Palin's New Europe takes the form of a journey through countries which have rich and complex cultures. Few have survived intact, as the ebb and flow of warring armies has continually changed the map of Europe. Starting in the mountains of Slovenia he travels down through Croatia and the former Yugoslavia to Albania before turning northwards to embrace Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, The Ukraine, The Czech Republic, Slovakia, the former East Germany, Poland, the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad (as Konigsberg originally home to the Teutonic Knights), Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, opening up a new and undiscovered world to millions of viewers and readers.
New Europe
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Book Description
No. 1 bestseller and superstar doing what he does best, introducing millions of avid readers to little-known peoples and places.
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
About the Author
Michael Palin established his reputation with MONTY PYTHON'S FLYING CIRCUS and RIPPING YARNS. A self-confessed dromomaniac (travel addict), he has written books to accompany his six very successful travel series, AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS (1988), POLE TO POLE (1991), FULL CIRCLE (1995), HEMINGWAY ADVENTURE (1999), SAHARA (2001) and HIMALAYA (2003), the last three published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson. HIMALAYA was the No 1 bestseller for 11 consecutive weeks.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
56 of 65 people found the following review helpful
By Sally Wilton
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover
I was lucky enough to have bought this at a book signing by the ever genial Michael Palin. Have had a good look through this book and was pleased he has covered many of the places I have visited. The great thing about this book is that it is packed with fabulous photos of places making one wish to visit them asap.
Lots of explanations about the recent history of these countries and a book well worth having for reference as well as pleasure. Good value at the moment from Amazon.
Lots of explanations about the recent history of these countries and a book well worth having for reference as well as pleasure. Good value at the moment from Amazon.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Michael Palin is cool. I really like him. A lot of people find him a bit too eager to play the fool but this is nonsense because he's just great. Anyway what do you expect from a member of the Python team?
This book is a very enjoyable journey through the former Soviet bloc countries of Eastern Europe. If you watch the accompanying TV series at the same time then it becomes even more enjoyable as the book contains material that the TV programme doesn't and vice versa.
On the one hand this book is really rather superficial. You never really get to know a great deal about any of the countries that Palin visits. This is made up for by some of the interesting places he goes to and people he meets. If you are after a detailed description of what Eastern Europe is like today and what the fall of Communism has mean't you won't find it here. What you will find is plenty of inspiration to go and have a look for yourself. I certainly now have a hankering for Budapest.
I've watched Palin's other TV series but this is the first time I've read one of his books. While it was very enjoyable I still can't get over a feeling of jealousy. I'd love to go to these places. This feeling is only compounded when he says something like "I meet my friend Misha who shows me round..." This last point is surely a criticism of myself rather than the book. Maybe I'll get round to visiting some more places in Eastern Europe later in my life.
The photos in the book are excellent and appear at least once every two pages.
The only big disappointment I have is that Palin deals with some countries only very briefly. I really wanted to know more about Slovakia and he never visited Belarus at all.
Overall this is a great book for getting away from your usual humdrum and travelling by proxy. It's a really enjoyable and easy read. Maybe I'll buy some of his other books and watch his previous series again.
This book is a very enjoyable journey through the former Soviet bloc countries of Eastern Europe. If you watch the accompanying TV series at the same time then it becomes even more enjoyable as the book contains material that the TV programme doesn't and vice versa.
On the one hand this book is really rather superficial. You never really get to know a great deal about any of the countries that Palin visits. This is made up for by some of the interesting places he goes to and people he meets. If you are after a detailed description of what Eastern Europe is like today and what the fall of Communism has mean't you won't find it here. What you will find is plenty of inspiration to go and have a look for yourself. I certainly now have a hankering for Budapest.
I've watched Palin's other TV series but this is the first time I've read one of his books. While it was very enjoyable I still can't get over a feeling of jealousy. I'd love to go to these places. This feeling is only compounded when he says something like "I meet my friend Misha who shows me round..." This last point is surely a criticism of myself rather than the book. Maybe I'll get round to visiting some more places in Eastern Europe later in my life.
The photos in the book are excellent and appear at least once every two pages.
The only big disappointment I have is that Palin deals with some countries only very briefly. I really wanted to know more about Slovakia and he never visited Belarus at all.
Overall this is a great book for getting away from your usual humdrum and travelling by proxy. It's a really enjoyable and easy read. Maybe I'll buy some of his other books and watch his previous series again.
18 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
What a fantastic book! My copy spent many weeks in the classroom (school is my postal address!), where it is attracting the attention of several of my class of 10 & 11 year olds - showing that it has an appeal to all ages. Geography and literacy covered in one fell sweep!!!
I have been totally engrossed in this series - so much so that I was thrilled to receive the DVDs for Christmas this year; however, I have to say that the book is even better! There is so much more in it - so much insight into a changing world - and the photos are amazing as he travels through the former Yugoslavia and on into much of Eastern Europe.
Although some of the places that he visits are places that I know - and some are places that family and friends have visited, the majority of the places that he visits are places that I have never been to - but this book has increased my urge to travel to the parts of Europe that were formally virtually taboo - although I know only too well that I will never be able to experience half the things that Michael Palin has been fortunate enough to experience - he has the advantage of celebrity and the power of the BBC to help him - lucky thing!
Having said that, this book is a worthwhile addition to any personal library - and a terrific addition to any coffee table.
My only sadness is that Michael Palin has been reported as saying that this might be the last of his wonderful journeys. All I can say is - for the sake of those of us who have loved your insight into the rest of the world, PLEASE keep travelling, Michael!
Enjoy!
I have been totally engrossed in this series - so much so that I was thrilled to receive the DVDs for Christmas this year; however, I have to say that the book is even better! There is so much more in it - so much insight into a changing world - and the photos are amazing as he travels through the former Yugoslavia and on into much of Eastern Europe.
Although some of the places that he visits are places that I know - and some are places that family and friends have visited, the majority of the places that he visits are places that I have never been to - but this book has increased my urge to travel to the parts of Europe that were formally virtually taboo - although I know only too well that I will never be able to experience half the things that Michael Palin has been fortunate enough to experience - he has the advantage of celebrity and the power of the BBC to help him - lucky thing!
Having said that, this book is a worthwhile addition to any personal library - and a terrific addition to any coffee table.
My only sadness is that Michael Palin has been reported as saying that this might be the last of his wonderful journeys. All I can say is - for the sake of those of us who have loved your insight into the rest of the world, PLEASE keep travelling, Michael!
Enjoy!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Impersonal, disappointing
Travel books are about the traveller and their travels yet this book is truly superficial being more akin to a skim through an encyclopaedia. Read more
Published 2 months ago by R. Smallwood
4.0 out of 5 stars
NEW EUROPE
A GOOD COMPANION TO THE TELEVISION SERIES BY A HUMOROUS WRITER WHO OBVIOUSLY ENJOYS HIS WORK AND HIS TRAVELS ACROSS THE WORLD
Published 3 months ago by Donald Young
5.0 out of 5 stars
new europe
another great book from the pen of michael palin.if you have read his other travel books then add this to your collection. Read more
Published on 8 Jan 2010 by road nomad
5.0 out of 5 stars
excellent description of Eastern Europe
excellent description of the eastern european countries -particularly liked the one on romania as i will be visiting that country - also the ctach up with Ilie Nastase . Read more
Published on 13 Sep 2009 by Krishna Jagannath
5.0 out of 5 stars
a fascinating insight
This book is a must for anyone who, like me, is visiting a new EU member country for the first time.
Published on 4 Aug 2009 by world traveller
5.0 out of 5 stars
Michael Palin's New Europe
Excellent report by the author of his travels through the newer countries of Europe, recounting his many conversations with the locals who have experienced many changes.
Published on 18 Jun 2009 by Old Rocker, Manchester
1.0 out of 5 stars
Good TV does not easily translate into a good read
With the exception of the Yes Minister books, I struggle to think of any examples where a TV program (or an original film screenplay for that matter) has translated into a really... Read more
Published on 8 Mar 2009 by The Partick Potter
1.0 out of 5 stars
Palin's holiday
What is this love affair the British have with the amiable Michael Palin? He comes across as a jolly nice chap, avuncular and inoffensive and yet this book, the only Palin book... Read more
Published on 4 Dec 2008 by C. A. Kyprianou
5.0 out of 5 stars
Vintage Palin, indeed!
This is arguably Michael Palin's masterpiece and could well be his swansong. There are few travel writers who are endowed with the descriptive prowess of Palin and his ability to... Read more
Published on 25 May 2008 by Mr. Ylli Hasani
1.0 out of 5 stars
Don't judge the book by its cover
This book is a proof of this old adage. The presentation of the book is very attractive: quality paper and print, nice binding. Read more
Published on 5 Mar 2008 by J. Svoboda
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