Hardback travel book along a dangerous dividing line between Russia & China. Vivid descriptions
The Amur River: Between Russia and China by Colin Thubron is a travelogue that follows the author’s journey along one of the world’s longest and least-known rivers, the Amur. Flowing for nearly 2,800 miles, the river forms a natural boundary between Russia and China, passing through remote and politically sensitive regions.
Thubron, a veteran travel writer, embarks on this challenging expedition in his eighties, traveling by various means—including horseback, boats, and hitchhiking—to trace the river from its Mongolian source to its mouth at the Pacific Ocean. Along the way, he encounters a diverse range of people, from Russian Old Believers and Chinese traders to indigenous communities struggling to maintain their traditions.
The book is rich in history, geopolitics, and personal reflection. Thubron delves into the complex and often tense relationship between Russia and China, exploring the cultural and environmental shifts affecting the region. His prose is vivid and poetic, capturing both the beauty and the hardships of the landscape.
