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nimsaw's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best things about this book, apart from Pico Iyer's exquisite descriptions, is the political context given behind every region. Be it the dictatorship of the Kim family in Hermit Kingdom North Korea or the bloody history of Paraguay and Vietnam or even the unrealistic expectations of the Argentine people in the midst of an economic crises. Sure the book was written in the early 90s and situations may have improved in these regions. But for a travel enthusiast, the contexts are what make this book. This is not your regular run of the mill travel book, none of Pico Iyers are. But despite the serious issues being discussed in the book, Iyer sprinkles the narrative with his sardonic sense of humour which punctuates the grave proceedings.
sarahkapotemkin's review against another edition
3.0
Read as a historical artifact of travel in a world before all the technology that connects us all, in an era so close to the Cold War.
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