The Amur River

Between Russia and China

By: Colin Thubron

Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble

"A gripping read with fascinating political insight." (Sunday Times, London)

"Elegant, elegiac and poignant...Thubron is an intrepid traveler, a shrewd observer and a lyrical guide... to the river, much of it along the border between these two powers at a time of rapid and tense reconfiguration of global geopolitics." (Washington Post)

The most admired travel writer of our time - author of Shadow of the Silk Road and To a Mountain in Tibet - recounts an eye-opening, often perilous journey along a little known Far East Asian river that for over a thousand miles forms the highly contested border between Russia and China.

The Amur River is almost unknown. Yet it is the 10th longest river in the world, rising in the Mongolian mountains and flowing through Siberia to the Pacific. For 1,100 miles, it forms the tense border between Russia and China. Simmering with the memory of land-grabs and unequal treaties, this is the most densely fortified frontier on Earth.

In his 80th year, Colin Thubron takes a dramatic journey from the Amur’s secret source to its giant mouth, covering almost 3,000 miles. Harassed by injury and by arrest from the local police, he makes his way along both the Russian and Chinese shores, starting out by Mongolian horse, then hitchhiking, sailing on poacher’s sloops or travelling the Trans-Siberian Express. Having revived his Russian and Mandarin, he talks to everyone he meets, from Chinese traders to Russian fishermen, from monks to indigenous peoples. By the time he reaches the river’s desolate end, where Russia’s 19th-century imperial dream petered out, a whole, pivotal world has come alive.

The Amur River is a shining masterpiece by the acknowledged laureate of travel writing, an urgent lesson in history and the culmination of an astonishing career.

©2021 Colin Thubron (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Brilliant storytelling

I found it hard to take a break- somber, sober reflections on an unfamiliar part of the world, spiked with interesting characters (what good fortune to find such local guides) and fascinating historical background

Ancient grudges

It seemed to be rather repetitious. But, the writer conveyed the ethnic and political animosity of many of the sub groups. It appears to be a collection of abandoned and discarded people.

A long river with conflicts

Not a famous river to Americans, it is the world’s 10th longest and forms a 1000 mile border between Russia and China. I wanted to learn more about the geography and less about the conflicts between the countries.

Fascinating journey

The story was fascinating. What an adventure.

The narration was very good, although all of the voices sounded exactly the same, stereotype Russians.

What would have improve this Audible book was some pdf maps, etc. It’s hard to follow the journey without them

Wonderful travelogue

For a rarely visited and hard to get to part of the world. Friendly people in less friendly governments

Never the Same River Twice

A journey from the source of the Amur to the sea, across the ruins of the civilizations that have nestled it's banks. The long border between Russia and China highlights the remains of a history that is largely lost to the cover of communism and revolution. The author works with guides, and talks to locals, across his journey (to the concern of Russian intelligence services). Overall a worthwhile read highlighting a remote part of the world.

Bleak

Love post-soviet "space"? Enjoy ruin porn? Secretly pine for a police state, inter ethnic strife (DIE) and illicit caviar? Think Chinese people are responsible for every bad thing ever but are still a loyal Amazon customer? Then you're gonna love the fun loving and good natured folks sprinkled alongside the comfy waters of the amur.

outstanding

the topic is incredibly interesting and the writing is exquisite. one thing I like the best is the brutally honest reporting of what was seen and heard on the journey. the world needs more honesty even if honesty is ugly.

WORTH LISTENING

This is a very interesting book. It covers so much territory, so many different situations and interactions with people from diverse backgrounds.
Many of the places mentioned you can follow on Google Earth.
The Amur River can also be followed on Google Earth as a depiction of a River, instead of a fine line. Some of the cities along the river can also be viewed in more detail. This possibility makes listening to the book more interesting and enjoyable.
I also recommend listening to his other book: “Shadow of the Silk Road”.
All in all, both books are worth investing in.
The narrator, mr. Jonathan Keeble, was a joy to listen to.
My thanks to all involved, JK

Bleak

Not that I should have expected anything different, knowing the area geographically at any rate. I did learn about the history and culture, which I really appreciated, but it's mostly sad, when it isn't horrifying. And the narrator was so stern. Like a teacher who doesn't particularly enjoy his work, but wants to impart every fact so you won't forget it!