Scan barcode
adambecket's review against another edition
5.0
Really enjoyable journey through the former USSR, which now I want to visit
snivets's review against another edition
5.0
This book was the travel guide to the post-Soviet space I always dreamed of. In fact, in many ways it felt like a richer experience than I'd have if I'd actually gone there, as Owen's brilliant architectural knowledge is on full display. This is a much more lively book that uses architectural vernacular to get at the humanist questions at its core: what DID happen to the dream of the Soviet Union?
Surprisingly fun stuff, helpful geopolitically in understanding where and why there are dictatorships in these regions (because the other options suck more, basically), and I ended up with an unexpected interest in Soviet Asia. My only wish is for a version of this book with Owen having made it in to Turkmenistan!
Surprisingly fun stuff, helpful geopolitically in understanding where and why there are dictatorships in these regions (because the other options suck more, basically), and I ended up with an unexpected interest in Soviet Asia. My only wish is for a version of this book with Owen having made it in to Turkmenistan!
lasunflower's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
I really enjoyed this book. It was like taking a series of city tours without leaving my bed! It was surprisingly cosy, and fast paced.
I read this book over a year, dipping in and out of the four parts. As someone who does not know much about the Soviet Union nor architecture, there was a bit of a learning curve. But it was so interesting. I learnt some interesting facts about architecture as well as politics in countries I barely know about.
My favourite chapters were on Slavutych, Kyiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhia, Minsk, Moscow, Kazan, Kuraisi, Astana and Bishkek.
I am looking forward to reading more travel/politics like this with the same city-tour-vibe!
I read this book over a year, dipping in and out of the four parts. As someone who does not know much about the Soviet Union nor architecture, there was a bit of a learning curve. But it was so interesting. I learnt some interesting facts about architecture as well as politics in countries I barely know about.
My favourite chapters were on Slavutych, Kyiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhia, Minsk, Moscow, Kazan, Kuraisi, Astana and Bishkek.
I am looking forward to reading more travel/politics like this with the same city-tour-vibe!
More...