Based on the five-year U.S. Army study of the effect of Communist indoctrination on those held prisoners of war in Korea. Includes reports on the collaboration of prisoners with the enemy.
#156749 in Books Picador USA 2011-09-27 2011-09-27Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.25 x .96 x 5.48l; 1.25 #File Name: 0312610602560 pagesPicador USA
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. The Gold Standard in Travel MemoirsBy A readerLike Siberia; this book is big. Like Siberia; this book takes a long time to get through. And like Siberia; it's fascinating and compelling. However; unlike Siberia; it is not freezing cold in winter and overrun with killer mosquitoes in summer. I read it over a period of about a year; which you can do because the narrative has breaks in it and you won't lose the flow if you put it down and come back to it later.A book this size is going to have a lot of detail in it. If you're looking for a quick overview; this ain't it. And if you're an impatient person who likes to skim; it's probably not for you. There are things missing; for instance; there's barely a mention of the history of the indigenous populations of Siberia. But Frazier is an expert on Siberia in many respects; and the book is loaded with history; geography; geology; politics; and culture from this incredible place. Frazier is funny and candid; and his wry humor and observations permeate every description. The book is also a travel memoir; full of unique characters and drama of a type and sensibility that; according to Frazier; are unique to Russia and Russians. It's low key in tone; but epic in scope.All in all; it's one of the most interesting and entertaining books I've ever read.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Blends Just Enough Humility and AuthorityBy Sara GoffI appreciated the pieces of history and literature mixed into Frazier's travel stories. His writing voice blends just enough humility and authority to make reading his work like having a long chat with an intelligent friend. The way he connects historical events to ordinary; yet outstanding people he admires; people I wouldn't have heard of otherwise; makes his look into the past feel more like a memoir.Having spent some time in Russia; I smiled reading about the discomforts he endured. Frazier is an honest; personable author with a gift for seeing the details in life we overlook and giving them significance. Whether you're hoping to learn something new about our world or just laugh; I recommend reading Travels in Siberia.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. all-encompassing; but not always engrossingBy DiplocaulusWell-written with humor; honesty; and plenty of history; Travels in Siberia encompasses just about everything that could be said about the region. Frazier shares his various voyages to and within Siberia; including a cross-continental road trip in an often-breaking-van; interspersing his narrative with plenty of Russian history.During his multiple expeditions; the author meets people from all walks of life; battles the elements; has a love-hate relationship with his guides; wrestles with his own nervousness and anxiety-ridden tendencies; is attacked by swarms of bloodthirsty mosquitoes; explores an abandoned prison; rides in all sorts of vehicles on terrains both monotonous and dangerous; and never manages to fall out of love with Russia.I greatly enjoyed Fraizer's stories. However; I sometimes felt like his history lessons went on for too long. He delves into Russia's bloody history; going back to the time of Genghis Khan; through the tzars; the Decemberists; commuism and Stalinism; post-communism corruption; and into the future (where he describes the effects of global warming on Siberia's permafrost). I did like the recounting of local legends; but the countless Russians named (with their lives described in [often] unnecessary detail) became exhausting. Although it was easy to get swept up in the personal travelogue; Fraizer's history lessons did not always have the same page-turning draw.
