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Apples Are from Kazakhstan: The Land that Disappeared

Christopher Robbins

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Feb 07, 2015 Katie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: history, male-author, ___asia, non-fiction

I learned a lot about Kazakhstan from this book. The writing was mostly engaging, though I got a little bored at times, especially during some of the parts about the not so recent history of Kazakhstan. The book makes the country seem more real to me, and I was surprised by how shockingly little I knew about the country and how wrong some of my previous impressions were.

Also, I learned that not only are apples from Kazakhstan, but so is Vladimir Zhirinovsky. (In case you didn't finish his biogr ...more

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Nov 13, 2015 Karen rated it really liked it

Shelves: travel-the-world

This was a book that was packed with information; for example did you know that Kazakhstan is where Apples and Tulips are from? Kazakhstan is where Solzhenistyn was incarcerated in the vast Gulag system (he was, surprisingly against Kazakhstan's independence). Kazakhstan was the place the Soviets tested their nuclear bombs, and trucked thousands of people to the area to see how people reacted to the radiation. The Soviets left all the nuclear weapons and outdated factories.

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Apr 04, 2013 Annie rated it liked it

Shelves: world-in-80-books-2013

For my Around the World in 80 Books challenge (Kazakhstan).

After reading this entertaining travel narrative, I know more about Kazakhstan than I ever wanted. A witty travelogue that displays deep affection for this complex country and its resilient people, but also a rather rose-colored view of its current government and president.

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