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| The Lost Heart of Asia | 
 enlarge | Author: Colin Thubron
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Category: Book
List Price: £8.99
Buy Used: £0.01
You Save: £8.98 (100%)
New (1) from £5.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  6 reviews
Sales Rank: 316928
Media: Paperback
Edition: New Ed
Pages: 384
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
ISBN: 0140246193
EAN: 9780140246193
ASIN: 0140246193
Publication Date: June 7, 1995
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews: Read 1 more reviews...
 The Lost Heart of Asia September 27, 2008
Colin Thubron explored the western Asian countries - Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kirghizstan, and Kazakshtan, all of which were formally governed and administered by the Soviet Union.
He provides an outstanding account of people, history, religious activities, and culture of a vast region in line with history and politics. It is interesting to note how Stalin intimidated Arabic speaking people and Islamic worshippers. He didn't only interrogate or penalise his suspects and people who had made comments about him. The people were also banned to use their language at home and schools, and sing at mosques. After the collapse of Soviet Union, they gained freedom of expressions. However, the number of production of literature and music pieces in their language have not been rising. Mr Thubron reveals that masses of people have lost their jobs after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and they have been experiencing difficulties of obtaining everyday items, all of them have high prices. Ostensibly, there are loads of potential artists who are unable to buy stationery items.
Colin Thubron met several Muslim communities, and finds the reasons that they are one of the most strict and resilient communities in the world. They believe that all Muslim worshippers will be able to live on after their death if they have faithfully carried out their prayers five times a day.
The author discovers the fact of the countries which are not easy for everybody to visit. It is a very entertaining book and a good item while sitting in an armchair, and makes you feel that there is no need to visit those countries experiencing difficulties of inefficient transport, as well as dealing with complicated bureaucracies.
fantastic cover illustrations October 22, 2007
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
the new cover illustrations by Dorry Spikes (dotspikes.com) are so
beautiful! it's worth buying these books just for that.
 Very dense and pretentios at times January 31, 2007
1 out of 4 found this review helpful
There's no denying that Thubron is a wonderful writer; his language and the sense of place he creates is amazing - but i have to admit that i found this very hard work to get through. I found myself so busy trying to get through the depth of his language, that i couldn't follow what he was actually telling me; and had to re-read parts at least twice.
I'm sure it wasn't intentional, but he comes across a little pretentious in his story telling. I really wanted to enjoy this book, but afraid I was forced to give up - which i hardly ever do.
compelling.. poetic.. and honest August 18, 2006
17 out of 18 found this review helpful
When I read this book I had to carry a pencil around with me to underline phrases and sentences, the odd turn of phrase. I never wanted it to end and I thought he was writing just for me, just to entertain me and to tell me a story. It comes across as intimate - the writing is so emotive and sentient.
To me, this is what travel writing, indeed writing, is all about.
 A very good book, almost as good as Among the Russians. November 4, 2001
12 out of 13 found this review helpful
Colin Thubron, I wish I was carrying your backpack for you on these journeys. Among the Russians made me laugh, this book made me drool! I have worked extensively in the Caspian region and you write what I live!For lovers of travel writing - buy this book!
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