Siberian Dawn: A Journey Across the New Russia

by Jeffrey Tayler

Release Date: June, 2000

Edition: Paperback

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From Russia, With Love

The book is well written and tells a very engaging story. It's in the tradition of "hardship travel" writing. I'm reminded of an essay by the philosopher Santayana about travelling "in order to sharpen the edge of life, to taste hardship, and to be compelled to work desperately..." The author's adventure involves all those things. I knew Jeff Tayler in college and am not surprised that he could make the journey. His language skills were legendary, and he already showed some taste for enduring hardship. He also had a talent for empathy that is showcased here. I will add a few things that other reviwers have not mentioned. The view of Americans by Russians is more favorable than I expected, and rather poignant. The chapter about Jeff's visit to Lenin's hometown is brief but fascinating. Although the book is quite serious, there is some needed comic relief in such things as the Russian fascination with the soap opera "Santa Barbara." In the end, the depiction of Russian life is pretty bleak, and the prospects for it getting better in the near future do not appear bright. The picture painted is of a damaged culture and a beaten-down people. It comes across as a hard place to like, which makes Tayler's love for it even more remarkable.

An enjoyable read. Classic Jeffrey Tayler!

This is a tremendous book. Jeffrey Tayler's Siberian Dawn a chronicle of his 8000 mile trip across Russia tells us as much about the current state of the former Soviet Union as it does about the bleak consequences for Russia's future. Through Tayler's masterful descriptive narrative and an unmatched ability to communicate the important details skillfully we are bestowed with a mostly grim picture of a people and society in complete disrepair. At some points a dangerous journey, he threads his way across a Russian geography complete with a remnant (and maddening) bureaucracy, copious criminal elements, dangerous drunkards, and treacherous unrelenting weather. Jeffery Tayler's trip makes any college student's year off hitchhike across the U.S. look like an arranged travel company tour complete with catering. Not without its bright spots, Tayler occasionally catches glimpses of Russian scenery that by its beauty and power leaves him spell bound. Also, he is occasionally bestowed with what might be considered genuine hospitality. He does meet a few Russians along the way that offer kindness, guidance and who possess a recognition that not all is lost in post communist Russia. As is true with much of Tayler's work the real power of this book is the strength and skill of his writing. Like few other travel writers he places you at the scene both physically and emotionally. My only regret about the book is that he did not include some of the photographs he took on the trip and provide a map illustrating the course of his journey (I found one and tracked it myself). Nonetheless you will enjoy this fine read and will come away with an appreciation of Tayler's magnificent accomplishment in writing about his travels across Russia. S. H. Hassett