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Black Earth

A Journey through Ukraine
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( 121 ratings, 14 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Black Earth by Jens MΓΌhling delves into the vibrant and complex landscape of Ukraine. The author embarks on a journey across this multifaceted nation, uncovering tales of its diverse inhabitants, from Cossacks to Crimean Tatars. Through insightful encounters and vivid storytelling, the book weaves a tapestry of history, culture, and identity, painting a vivid portrait of a country at Europe's crossroads.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$3599
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're intrigued by travel narratives that explore cultural and historical landscapes. The author takes you on an adventure through complex regions, offering insights into their rich history and dynamic present, perfect for those who appreciate a blend of adventure and reflection.

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Black Earth is a vivid first-hand account of an extensive journey through a contested nation.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

An in-depth exploration of Ukraine through encounters with the many different people who live there.

"Will someone pay for the spilled blood? No. Nobody." Mikhail Bulgakov composed this ominous and prophetic phrase in Kiev amid the turmoil of the Russian civil war. Since then, Ukrainian borders have shifted constantly, and its people have suffered numerous military foreign interventions. Ukraine has only existed as an independent state since 1991, and what exactly it was before then is controversial among its people as well as its European neighbours.

In Black Earth: A Journey through the Ukraine, journalist and celebrated travel writer Jens MΓΌhling takes readers across the country amid the ousting of former president Viktor Yanukovych and the Russian annexation of Crimea. MΓΌhling delves deep into daily life in Ukraine, narrating his encounters with Ukrainian nationalists and old communists, Crimean Tatars and Cossacks, smugglers, and soldiers. Black Earth connects all these stories to convey an unconventional and unfiltered view of Ukraine, a country at the crossroads of Europe and Asia and the centre of countless conflicts.

In this paperback edition, a new preface is included that takes into account recent developments up to the 2022 war between Russia and Ukraine.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Black Earth by Jens Muhling has received positive reviews for its exploration of Russia's diverse landscapes and people. Reviewers praise the book for the surprising discoveries and pleasure it provides, as it takes readers from urban centres like Moscow and St Petersburg to remote areas such as Siberia. Muhling encounters a variety of intriguing characters, including those with unique beliefs and lifestyles, and his empathetic storytelling brings their vivid and moving life stories to light.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781914982002

Publisher: Haus Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 03 August 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: The Armchair Traveller at the Bookhaus

Illustration: 1 map

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 189.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 309

About the Author

Jens Muhling was the editor of a German newspaper in Moscow for two years, and has been working for the Berlin newspaper, Der Tagesspiegel, since 2005. His features and essays on Eastern Europe have won him several awards. He is the author of A Journey into Russia (2014) and Troubled Water: A Journey Around the Black Sea (2021).

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