Into Siberia: George Kennan's Epic Journey Through the Brutal, Frozen Heart of Russia

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars | 112 ratings

Price: 18.8

Last update: 07-27-2024


Top reviews from the United States

TC Gal
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2024
It’s an adventure and really two stories in one.
James Kevin McKethan
4.0 out of 5 stars Ok.
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2024
Pretty good writibg
Placeholder
5.0 out of 5 stars Cold in Russia and George Kennan
Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2023
Reading this on a cool but clear late fall day...the cold and dreary story of George Kennan, not to be confused with a distant and later generation cousin, George F Kennan, as he navigates a harrowing an treacherous inspection of the early Russian gulag is a captivating read...although sickly most of trip, Kennan's descriptions and insights are important to keep in mind as we move into a perilous time with a newer Russian European conflict...the Russian system in the 2000s seems not far removed from that of the1800s and 1900s.
Marie Guy
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating piece of history told through an Incredible adventure story
Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2023
This is an outstanding book that is a must read for anyone who loves outdoor adventure and is looking to better understand Russia. It is a true page-turner that makes it hard to put it down and it will take you on a fascinating trip through Siberia. It got an outstanding review by the NYTimes Book Review and I couldn’t recommend it enough!
Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Historical, researched, and revealing.
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2023
This author was able to take this reader to early 19C when the US faced a Civil War, discovering gold in the West and explorers immersing novel societies and cultures. The was told through George Kennan's oral and written history. Siberia has been mined for centuries and labor provided by prisoners and their families. I appreciated the drawings and photos for those connected me to the environment & culture.
I hope, someday soon, Alexei Navalny will write a review for this impressive book.
paul mathews
5.0 out of 5 stars In Depth book about Siberia
Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2024
The book gave an in depth analysis of Siberia.
Customer image
paul mathews
5.0 out of 5 stars In Depth book about Siberia
Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2024
The book gave an in depth analysis of Siberia.
Images in this review
Customer image
HistoryNerdsUnited
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and Riveting
Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2024
I don't know what is harder to believe. That someone would voluntarily go spend months in Siberia or that the same person thought the Russian prisons in the area wouldn't be that bad. George Kennan was that man and, to his credit, he realized he was wildly naive.

Gregory Wallance tells the story of Kennan's two trips to Siberia in his immensely entertaining Into Siberia. I knew nothing of Kennan before this book. Wallance does an amazing job of explaining Keenan and why he ended up in one of the most desolate places on Earth multiple times. Sure, I still think he was a little nuts, but I definitely enjoyed reading about his adventures. The book is on the shorter end for a history book, but it is part of the strength of the narrative. Wallance does not bury the important parts of Kennan's life and travels in needless detail. Specifically, Wallance's ability to convey the horrors of Keenan's journey in minimal page count is a feat in and of itself. Nothing lingers too long and Wallance might even convince me to read Keenan's Siberia and the Exile System.

Wait, Keenan's book is over 1,000 pages. Just read this instead. You'll love it.

(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and St. Martin's Press.)
Coleen Kelly
2.0 out of 5 stars Not impressed
Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2023
I'm of the minority here as far as stars given but I found myself not liking Mr Kennan very much..He spent a couple years in far North eastern Siberia with enough provisions due to his working for Western Union to survey land for instalation of telegraph poles and only has hit and miss contacts with rural indigenous peoples..then travels West and parties with the elite in St Petersburg for a week, comes back to the US and is considered an "expert" on all things Russian? I found him quite naive..He was either ignorant or blind to the poverty and oppression taking place just blocks from his fancy hotel in St Petersburg. He stated some stupid things in the US regarding how much better the Russian exhile system was then our (the US) penal system is, then felt the need to prove it (and save face and his pride) by going back and reporting on it..He did have a change of heart and did come back to report and lecture on the cruelty and injustice of it and attempted to rally Americans to his cause to force Russia to improve on it, but he seems just as ignorant or uncaring about the cruel injustice going on all around him in his own country. He calls for no improvement or changes on the American landscape..in fact he seems to have no opinion on it or chooses to turn a blind eye..But he did do what he set out to do on his 2nd trip to Russia: He got rich and famous.

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