Travelling across the former Soviet Union is a challenge at the best of times - but in a dilapidated VDub… that's got to be plain daft... hasn't it? I was in my prime, hungry to make a mark on the world, yet I was making ends meet by delivering egg and cress sandwiches on a bicycle with a bent axle to condescending office workers. Gainful employment in the ex-Soviet Union was a dream come true. A chance job offer at a timber yard in Estonia gives Thom and his old pal Jo a taste for the unknown. So when Uncle Tony asks them to drive to Vladivostok for another job, they can't think of a good reason why not. The result is a classic caper across the former Soviet Union in Max, a rusty old VW camper. Knowing little of the language or the geography ahead, they embark on probably the longest commute ever, encountering corrupt officials, film star mechanics and over-friendly gangsters. Far off the tourist trail, they bear witness to the collapse of one nation and the birth of a new one during the free-for-all that was Russia in the nineties.
One Steppe Beyond: Across Russia in a VW Camper
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'This well-written account is full of humour, character portraits and information asides.' (Motorcaravan & Motorhome Monthly )
'Entertaining account of a drive to Vladivostok and the encounters along the way.' (The Bookseller )
Featured in (Wanderlust )
'Wheeler's book is an absorbing and entertaining look at Russia's dramatic evolution in the '90s'.' (Real Travel )
'Entertaining account of a drive to Vladivostok and the encounters along the way.' (The Bookseller )
Featured in (Wanderlust )
'Wheeler's book is an absorbing and entertaining look at Russia's dramatic evolution in the '90s'.' (Real Travel )
About the Author
Thom Wheeler lived in St. Petersburg for several years working as a guide and teacher before going on to live in several ex-Soviet countries, including Georgia and Ukraine. He continues to spend time in the ex-Soviet Union traveling, teaching, and writing, and he runs an annual theater workshop in Tzarskoe Selo, Russia. This is his first book.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Not brilliantly written, but an interesting story about probably the first person to drive a camper van the entire way across Russia
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By MONTYMAN
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I enjoyed this very much. It was easy to read with a light touch which made me want to keep reading it. An interesting insight into Russia a few years ago and a remarkable journey to make in a VW campervan.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Jon Brasco
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've just finished reading Thom Wheeler's book 'One Steppe Beyond', the story of an epic journey across the ex Soviet Union, and I really enjoyed it. It manages to capture the excitement of youth with an insightful and humourous look at a much unreported part of the world.....all wrapped up in a great story. Aspirational stuff and well worth a look.
By N Charrett
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I loved this book...It makes me just wanna go and buy an old campervan and head out onto the open road. In todays all too serious world too, Thom Wheeler's 'One Stepp Beyond gives you a welcome antidote to all the austerity and doomongery that pervades most of our daily lives, reminds us that there is still adventure to be had if we just say yes to opportunity, just remain open to 'maybe'.
Having travelled extensively throughout the region too, I really enjoyed the personal commentary on his and his friend's haphazard wanderings, as well as the bite-size insights to the places they visited, without loading the reader with too much 'history'.
This book is a real tonic on a long winter night that's for sure. Will there be a follow up? I hope so Mr Wheeler...Time to crank up 'Max' again and head off into the sunset!
Having travelled extensively throughout the region too, I really enjoyed the personal commentary on his and his friend's haphazard wanderings, as well as the bite-size insights to the places they visited, without loading the reader with too much 'history'.
This book is a real tonic on a long winter night that's for sure. Will there be a follow up? I hope so Mr Wheeler...Time to crank up 'Max' again and head off into the sunset!
By Mr. D. Smith
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
If you read one book, then read this, great writing, makes you feel like your on the trip with him, cant wait for his next book
By Wisty
Format:Paperback
Written in a nice easy style, this travel diary contains much to entertain anyone who has so much as a passing interest in Russia and "things Russian". Thom is clearly an open minded sort of guy who looks for the good and amusing in any given situation rather than dwelling on more negative aspects. To get the best out of any trip to Russia you need to i) not take yourself too seriously, ii) be interested in everything, and iii) understand that Russians are not Westerners, they don't act like Westerners and they don't think like Westerners. Thom embraces all these concepts and more, and the result is a highly readable account which I for one go back to time and time again.
By Edna85
Format:Paperback
A good and insightful read into Russia, which is not drawn out. The book provides some interesting insights into Russia's geography, culture and history. I picked up some interenting facts and knowledge about what it is like to travel across Russia.
The writer engages with the history and geaography of many of the places him and his travel partner visited during the drive across Russia. The writer includes pieces of interesting information surrounding Ivan the Terrible to Romanov dynasty.
This is a good book for anyone interested in Russia or interested in travelling to Russia. If you just want to learn a bit about Russia this book is a good starting point.
The writer engages with the history and geaography of many of the places him and his travel partner visited during the drive across Russia. The writer includes pieces of interesting information surrounding Ivan the Terrible to Romanov dynasty.
This is a good book for anyone interested in Russia or interested in travelling to Russia. If you just want to learn a bit about Russia this book is a good starting point.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Interesting read for our book club choice about russia, very informative as well as being amusing. would recommend to friends.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
campervan
A throughly good read. A novel interpretation of a factual experience. The author has obviously travelled to these places and enjoyed them.
Published 6 months ago by jesterdraws
3.0 out of 5 stars
Max goes the distance
"The only things that worried me about Russia were the militia, the hospitals and the women behind thick glass selling train tickets. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Joseph Haschka
1.0 out of 5 stars
DULL!!!
I attempted to read this book as part of a Book Club. I thought it would be quite an entertaining book full of anecdotes from someone's trip across Russia. I was so wrong. Read more
Published 14 months ago by G o' 'fax
2.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting, but also disappointing
Anyone buying this book because of the Volkswagen Camper Van on the cover will be disappointed. Although the van in question carries our two heroes safely across Russia, it hardly... Read more
Published 16 months ago by t4turton
4.0 out of 5 stars
A PUNCHY READ
A big journey is encapsulated in a relitively short and easy read. However, the author has successfully captured the tasty bits of an interesting and very brave journey. Read more
Published 21 months ago by global gilroy
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