Behind Putin's Curtain: Friendships and Misadventures Inside Russia

Description

An unconventional travelogue of a country that inspires both fear and fascination.

"In the late summer of 2016," writes award-winning travel writer Stephan Orth, "a journey to Russia feels like visiting enemy territory."

In this humorous and thought-provoking book, Orth ventures through that vast and mysterious territory to uncover the real, unfiltered Russia not seen in today's headlines: authentic, bizarre, dangerous, and beautiful. Sidestepping the well-trod tourist path, he travels the country from Moscow to Vladivostok--across seven time zones and almost 9,500 kilometers--making stops in Chechnya, Saint Petersburg, Siberia, and beyond. Staying with an eclectic array of hosts, he bumps into gun nuts, Internet conspiracy theorists, faux shamans, and Putin fans; learns to drive in death-defying Russian style; and discovers how to cure hangovers by sniffing rye bread. But he also sees a darker side of the country, witnessing firsthand the effects of Putin's influence in the run-up to the 2016 American election and the power of propaganda in this "post-fact" era.

Weaving everything together with thoughtfulness and warmth, Orth follows the acclaimed Couchsurfing in Iran with yet another complex, funny, and personal travelogue--a colorful portrait of a fascinating and misunderstood country.