Reviews (5)

very helpful
I gave this book as a gift to a family member who was going to the Ukraine, and we found it to be very informative and useful.

Ukraine Travel Guide
This is a great book to learn part of the history of the Ukraine, what to see while you are there, what to be cautious of, and how to get around.Very informative.I really liked the section in the back with Ukraine/English translations.This book will travel with me as a ready reference while I am in the Ukraine!!This is the first Lonely Planet book I've purchased and I'm sure there will be more!

Not up to lonely planet standards
The lonely planet series has generally been wonderful.Every time I bought one, they were not only a fun read but were chalk full of info on things to see and do.The Ukraine book, however, seems very disappointing in comparison.For one, the book is very small for such a big country.The author only visits a number of selected cities and totally ignores whole sections of the country, especially in the east which has 5 pages for the entire section.Even within those cities she does visit, however, the sightseeing oppurtunities (according to her) appear very sparse, the accomodations listed are very limited, and there is very little information about day trips or things to see outside the city. Finally, the entire book is very politicized.It looks like she wrote the book during the Orange Revolution, and got caught up in the strong nationalistic and anti-russian feelings that accompanied it.Unfortunately, this also shows through in her writing.
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Subjects:  1. Former Soviet Republics    2. General    3. Russia    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Travel - General    7. Travel & holiday guides    8. Ukraine   

Reviews (4)

Belarus, huh?
What to say about Belarus? Well, we spent the day the White Russkis commemmorate the end of WWII there, so I've seen it in all of its "grandeur". Not much to recommend it, go and see Belarus if you missed out on the post WWII East European dictatorships, because Belarus is the last of its kind. A genuine personality cult around the president runs politics, and you can get a feel for what it was like in 1970's E. Europe. Guess what- you will not like it. Take some pics of Minsk & move on to Moscow. And if you can find a decent hotel in Minsk, you've done better than my wife and I did.

Don't be paranoid!
There is a wealth of information in this book but some of the information is way off.For example the restaurant Lechaim is said to be "excellent"and the cooking is "served in hearty portions".I got a small portion of fish, two soups and salad for an outrageous price of $50.LP warns that prices change but the book is only a few months old.Also the authors are overly sensitive about fitting in by suggesting that you use a plastic bag like the locals instead of a backpack to carry your things.First of all what is wrong with looking like a foreigner?Are they suggesting that Russians don't like foreigners?Anyway many locals use back packs.I also didn't get stopped by police outside the Moscow railway station.The book sanctions some level of paranoia possibly to protect themselves.Maps are accurate and so are many of the museum schedules.I would suggest trying some of the restaurants not mentioned in the book.You can find some good food that way.

Big Russia
The only problem with this book is that if you're planning to travel just to an area of Russia, you won't need as much information of others. Russia is huge so the place you're travelling to, probably just will have a couple of paragraphs.... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Former Soviet Republics    2. Russia    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Belarus (Belorussia)    6. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (22)

Borderland?
Unfortunately the author did not get the basic premise correct. Ukraine does not mean borderland. The oldest use of the word found in written text is in the 10th century chronicle of Slava o Polke Ihoria. The term Ukraine is used as meaning within the kingdom, at the heart of the kingdom. The opposite of what the author writes. Borderland would mean Okraina, this is the difference between in and out. She also missed that Ukraine has the oldest calendar on the planet now dating to 7039. Another significant fact.
Good Historical Record of the Early Nineties and Independence
Anna Reid has done a marvelous job of describing the situation in Ukraine in the early 1990s and the historical background of a nation that never existed before 1991.It was always an area of people, but never was it ever independent.Reid does a good job in explaining who 'owned' Ukraine, and what happened there during the different periods when parts or all of it belonged to Poland, Poland/Lithuania, Austria, Prussia, Russia, AustroHungary, Poland and USSR.
Ukraine and the borderland.
This is a better book than her book on Siberia.In this book, Ms. Reid makes the case that Ukraine is indeed the borderland of Asia and Europe.To the east, is the ancient and powerful country of Russia, and to the west, former foes in Germany and Poland.The people of Ukraine were never a really distinct culture aside from the Russians.This started to change in the early 1800s when authors, artists, and historians started to document their own culture.When the Western Ukraine was joined with the Eastern Ukraine after WWII, Ukraine was a large part of the Soviet Union.With the breakup of the Soviet Union, this country became the largest country in Europe.
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Subjects:  1. Eastern Europe    2. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Russia - History    7. Ukraine    8. Cultural studies    9. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    10. Social history    11. Travel   

Reviews (2)

Mixed : Lutsk / Mykolayiv
Lots of helpful infomation covering history, religion, language and many cities, not just the capital. An appendix gives some basic vocabulary in Russian and Ukrainian. I visited Lutsk and Mykolayiv as well as Kiev in September of 2005.
Best guide to Ukraine (reviewed by Ukrainian!)
Having done some travelling before and being familiar with a usual "average tourist" style of travel guides available on the market I was pleasantly surprised by the refreshing style of Andrew Evans' writing. He evidently did some in-depth study and managed to capture the essence of the Ukrainian culture in a short space of the first part of the book. I particularly enjoyed a brief overview of the Ukraine's history in the second chapter. I also liked the way Andrew presented Ukrainians with some witty comments in the third chapter of the book and could not agree more with him about the importance of getting to know the local people wherever one is travelling to. The second part of the book ("The Guide") provides concise information on pretty much all major destinations in Ukraine with some very practical advice on transport, accommodation etc. Being born in Odessa and living there for 20 years I enjoyed reading about my birthplace and hope that the positive outlook given by Andrew in his book will encourage many more tourists to visit this beautiful city. I hope very much that with the increasing number of visitors to Ukraine the word will spread about the hidden corners of this East European country and that this will generate a much deserved positive coverage for Ukraine in the Western media. I see this book as a pioneer in this area paving the way for other publications about Ukraine. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is travelling or consider travelling to Ukraine. Those who are particularly interested in Ukraine's capital city - Kiev, may find very useful to read a separate Bradt's city guide due later this year. See their website for more information - www.bradtguides.com ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - General    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel & holiday guides    5. Travel / Europe / General    6. Ukraine   

Subjects:  1. Etiquette    2. Europe - Eastern    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel Guides    6. Travel & holiday guides    7. Travel / Europe / Eastern    8. Ukraine   

Reviews (4)

A ***correction*** to misinformation by "daryoush"
This is a response to an earlier review that contained a major, major Big Lie. Nice, but incomplete series
I just got back from Russia and found this book.I wish I had found this earlier.It was hard to find English speaking guides in Russia as most excursions are in Russian.It would have been nice to read about the Jewish influences in the Russian history before the travel. Terrific travel guide to Russian & Ukrainian Jewish history.
Approximately 120 years ago the majority of the world's Jews lived in what was called the "Pale of Settlement" in the Russian Empire of the Czar. Most American Jews today trace their ancestry to Russia, the Ukraine,and the surrounding territories and provinces of the old empire. UntilCommunism fell, the Jews of Russia and Ukraine had been suppressed anddenied human and religious rights. With the collapse of the Communists,Judaism has emerged from centuries old persecution and pogrom and thesynagogues, monuments, schools and other Jewish historical sites areavailable and accessible to the western visitor. Ben Frank's A Travel GuideTo Jewish Russia & Ukraine is an invaluable, highly recommended travelguide for planning and implementing a trip in search of their familyheritage and religious roots throughout Russian and the Ukraine. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    2. Guidebooks    3. History    4. Jews    5. Russia    6. Russia (Federation)    7. Travel    8. Travel - Foreign    9. Ukraine    10. Eastern Europe    11. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (8)

Very good
this is a really good book about Ukraine. It talks about everything you can imagine-customs, laws, people, even jokes. Its very accurate and definately brought back some memories for me. If you are traveling to Ukraine and want some insights into ukrainian lifestyle and people this is the book for you.

Honest, in-depth, and genuinely appreciative of Ukraine
CULTURE SHOCK: UKRAINE ranks as one of the best installments of the Culture Shock series. Straightforward and very thorough, it gave this American reader a helpful introduction to Ukrainian culture. Written by an American, Meredith Dalton, who lived in Kyiv for some time, the book tells expatriates what they need to know for a smooth transition to living and working in Ukraine. Definately Outdated
This book is fine if you are just starting out.I found it useful but you'll need more after this.There are many areas where even the un-educated will realized topics are outdated. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Customs & Traditions    2. Eastern Europe - General    3. Europe - Eastern    4. Former Soviet Republics    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel & holiday guides    8. Ukraine   

Reviews (3)

Comprehensive, handy, excellent guide
I have made several trips to Kiev (officially Kyiv)in recent years and am very glad to have found this excellent guide, which I will use on my next trip. Well-written, packed with information, and handy. Although more than 300 pages it can easily be carried in anypocket.
Great guide for Americans visiting Kiev
There are not many travel guide books to choose from in English on Kiev. No matter, Mr. Evans book proved to be extremely useful on my first trip to Kiev, Ukraine. It was accurate and I used this guide book every day for the two weeks I was in Kiev. His review of hotels, shopping, restaurants, clubs, and casinos were excellent. Mr. Evans was very adept at suggesting places to go where Westerners could get by with little or no language skills.I recommend this book and I hope he plans an update in 2006. John Doyen, Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas USA

Throughly useful
My Ukrainian girlfriend and I spent 9 days in Kiev last month. This book was invaluable. Naturally, when visiting a country it's very helpful to have someone with you who speaks the language. This is particularly true in Ukraine - even though many people in Kiev do speak English. We stayed in a hotel she heard about through a friend that's near the Golden Gate (Zoloti Vorota) Metro stop - centrally located in Kiev. It was $30 a night for me and around $10 a night for her. While I bought a Visa to go to Kiev (around $120) in May - I'm told they are free to Americans and Europeans these days.
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Subjects:  1. Europe - Eastern    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel Guides    5. Travel & holiday guides    6. Travel / Europe / Eastern    7. Ukraine   

Reviews (4)

If you go to Russia to get lost and eat at TGI Friday's, this book is for you
Let me preface this by saying that I was born in Moscow and am a native speaker. Not as good as I expected
As a frequent traveller who has always depended on Frommers, I purchased for the first time a Fodors guide to Russia (alas, Frommers will not publish one for a few months). I am sorry to say that I find this book to be confusing in finding activities to see in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Keep in mind that I am both a Reading teacher and an English teacher, so that if I had difficulty sorting out where to go and how to find the sight, it must really be weak. Also, some sights were overlooked. In short, wait for the Frommers addition to be published.

One Book for Discovering Russia's Two Greatest Cities
As the founder of a company devoted to enriching cultural and business travel to Russia, we are always looking for a good, general guidebook for clients."Fodor's Moscow and St. Petersburg" has good neighborhood guides to the two main cities of Russia.The entertainment, bar, restaurant and hotel suggestions are comprehensive (as far as quantity and general pricing range, although the pricing and quality levels cited are not always accurate).
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Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. Moscow (Russia)    3. Russia    4. Saint Petersburg (Russia)    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel Guides    8. Travel & holiday guides    9. Travel / Russia    10. Ukraine   

Reviews (1)

Ukraine Customs and Etiquette
Great Book.I will be going to the Ukraine for the first time and this book was very helpful in understanding the culture before I go.The examples, stories and recommendations were great and the book had the perfect depth to it.Easy reading and packed full of information! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Former Soviet Republics    2. Special Interest - General    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign   

Subjects:  1. Travel    2. Eastern Europe    3. Maps, charts & atlases    4. Travel / road maps & atlases    5. Ukraine   

Reviews (2)

A poetic evocation of things lost
Philip Marsden's book is a small masterpiece. It is poetic and evocative. He has a sharp sense of details. No wonder he has now written his first novel after a couple of travel books. So light of touch but yet so far reaching
The language is so poetic and fluent, it hurls you away, lightly and fluffily to a different era; a world long gone and forgotten.It has something of an East European Gone With The Wind theme, only much moreconcise and fleetingly. I longed for more pages, a hundred more,fivehundred more,in this novel too timid and subdued somehow.Perfectscript for a fullblown-no-expenses -spared Hollywood film! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1898-1981    2. 20th Century Description And Travel    3. Belarus    4. Biography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Bronska, Helena,    7. Eastern Europe - General    8. Essays & Travelogues    9. Historical - Holocaust    10. History - General History    11. Ilinska, Zofia    12. Poles    13. Refugees    14. Travel    15. Women    16. World War, 1939-1945    17. Bronska, Helena    18. History / General    19. Journeys   

Reviews (10)

Excellent book
This is an excellent book, beautifully written and presented. I have not (yet) visited Ukraine, but it is my intention to visit Lvov and Kiev (I have spelt them the 'old way' not the Ukrainian way) in the near future. Mrs. Savage's book conveys a real 'feel' for Ukraine and a real love. Even without interest in Ukraine, her story is a most interesting and compelling one for any lecturer or teacher living in a strange country.

More Than Just a Travelog
Anna Savage left Ukraine as a little girl during the chaos of World War II and returned as an American journalist shortly after Ukraine became an independent country in 1991These bookends of her life provide the context for a detailed portrait of life in post-communist Ukraine, historical background necessary to understand that portrait and one family's search for its roots.Ms. Savage is able to combine her journalist's eye for a story with her family's stories about a homeland she scarcely recalls. She is also very honest in depicting the reactions of herself, her mother and her aunt upon return to a homeland that is now less than idyllic.

return to ukraine
Excellent book. It gives the reader a mixture of a travelogue and bits of history.Highly recommended for persons that intend to travel to Ukraine, conduct some business and especially for the diplomats, not familiar with Ukraine. There are some minor historical inaccuracies, but in general it is an excellent source for people not familiar with that part of the world. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1981-    2. Description And Travel    3. Essays & Travelogues    4. Europe - Former Soviet Republics    5. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    6. Former Soviet Republics - History - Post Cold War (1991-)    7. History    8. History - General History    9. History: World    10. Russia    11. Savage, Ania    12. Ukraine    13. Biography: general    14. Cultural studies    15. European studies    16. c 1990 to c 2000   

Subjects:  1. Travel / Europe   

Subjects:  1. Travel / road maps & atlases    2. Ukraine   

Reviews (9)

A good travel guide to Ukraine - not a language primer
A single trip to Ukraine hardly qualifies one as an expert on the Ukrainian or Russian languages.Yet, this is exactly what some reviewers pretend to be. Linda Hodges' travel guide on Ukraine, while it has some shortcomings, is definitely full of valuable facts, and comes from the heart of the author, which is more than can be said about the reviewer's attack on the Ukrainian language and therefore its culture. To call the Ukrainian language "pointless" is quite an outrageous thing to say. While it is true that little Ukrainian was heard in the Eastern part of Ukraine ten years ago, the situation is quite different today, where one hears Ukrainian everywhere - in the streets, in schools, in government offices, even though Russian is still considered far more dominant in many areas. The use of the Ukrainian language is growing every year. One can't help but be somewhat surprised to see the obvious hostility towards Ukrainians. Why travel to the fascinating land of Ukraine with this kind of attitude? Perhaps one should confine his interests to travel in Russia, an equally fascinating country, where the Ukrainian language would not be such a threat.

Interesting but inaccurate
I bought this book before making my first trip to Ukraine in 2003.Since then I've been back for a much longer second visit and have learned enough Russian to get around. While this book has useful tourist information, its language guide is quite misleading.First of all, the only people who speak Ukrainian are those living around Lviv. Everyone else, without exception, speaks Russian.So learning Ukrainian phrases etc. is totally pointless.Second, the pronunciation guide suffers from the major flaw of representing the "g" sound as "h" - which will make any beginner's attempt to speak the language hilariously incomprehensible.Imagine a foreigner coming to the USA and asking for directions to the nearest "has station" to fill up her car with gasoline, or admiring a nice flower-filled "harden."Or how about, "let me hive you some hrapes." Very user-friendly travel guide!
I would highly recommend this travel guide to anyone planning a visit to Ukraine. Linda Hodges and George Chumak have upgraded this new edition. Definitely worth getting! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Eastern    2. Russia    3. Russian    4. Slavic Languages    5. Special Interest - General    6. Travel    7. Travel - Foreign    8. Language self-study & phrasebooks    9. Ukraine    10. Ukrainian   

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Description and travel    5. Historical - General    6. Personal Memoirs    7. Poland    8. Travel    9. Travelers    10. Ukraine    11. Zygado, Bronek    12. Zygad±o, Bronek    13. Biography: general    14. European history: from c 1900 -    15. Journeys    16. Zygad±o, Mark   

Reviews (2)

A Fine Overview on Russia, but not Ukraine or Belarus
As usual for the Insight series, this book provides a great deal of practical information on the history, cultures, life, and tourism, especially for the visitor to the great cities of the Russian Federation, along many spectacular photographs.However, I thought the chapter on Lake Baikal was disproportionately long at the expense of other parts of rural Russia.Perhaps the book's greatest deficiency is the skimpy treatment of Ukraine (and Belarus, for that matter), which should now appear in their own full guides.Less than 60 pages of photos and text just doesn't cut it for these two countries combined.A charming photograph of a bunch of Ukrainian schoolkids posing for the camera more or less seems to ask the reader, "What about us?"Simply put, they should have an Insight Guide book of their own next time around.

Insight Guide Russia Insightful But Not Complete
Insight Guide Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine covers a goegraphically vast expanse of the three countries.It offers a comprehensive history of the regions, and an overview guide to slavic and eurasian culture; includingmusic, art, theater, literature, and food.The large section dedicated tocities and towns of the three countries is excellent for a tourist whowants a brief overview of the architectural and cultural highlights of eachlocation.The street, country, and metro maps are excellent.The smalllist of lodging and restaurants in each city is adequate, but notspectacular, and most listings are on the pricey side.This book did haveone deficiency; while it listed the locations of each city and landmark onmaps, the writers did provided limited insight as to how to reach theselocations from a central point such as the larger cities in each region.There is no mention of specific bus or train routes connecting the cities,and little information about reaching outlying monasteries and resorts,other than a goegraphical direction.I recommend this book as an aid to atourist on a an organized trip of Russia.It is also an excellent sourcefor the independent traveller who speaks Russian well enough to arrangetheir own travel between cities by inquiring at train stations or touristcenters. Other useful tools are the language guide, tips on local customs,and the communication information pages, which offer telephone, mail,internet, and wiring information. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Belarus    2. Guidebooks    3. Russia    4. Russia (Federation)    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel Guides    8. Ukraine   

Subjects:  1. Former Soviet Republics    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel & holiday guides    5. Travel / Former Soviet Republics    6. Ukraine   

Reviews (3)

How wealthy we are in the Western World.
First thing is first.Book is in colour.Did I not read that?Do not know, was expecting B&W.Second, 400 pages of which I believe 50+ were provactive and made me think.Provactivity was why I bought the book, andwhy I suspect others did/will too.Wanted to be woken up from my slumber:to know what it is really like over there.But 50/400 pages is not a highratio, hence my 3 stars.(To be honest, some of the photos I felt Icould've taken myself.)Notwithstanding this, there were some shots thatdemanded a reality check. How wealthy we are in the Western World...

Not for everyone, and certainly not for me.
For me, the only thing this book proves is that in the post-Soviet Ukraine, the homeless can be subjected to exploitation and forced loss of dignity for a small sum of money.The degrading conditions of the peoplecould be shown without having the photographer subject the people tofurther degradation.By the way, this was the most poorly bound book thatI have ever received.Upon the first (and last) reading, groups of 10-20pages were coming out in handfuls. Not a problem - I threw it away.

Not for everyone!
The photos in this book are provocative and thoughtful - but definitely not for everyone.Case History is 400+ pages of Ukraine's poor and homeless - most in various stages of undress.Mikhailov comes through anddoes an excellent job of depicting certain aspects of the downfall of theSoviet Union - his photos are thoughtful and emotional - but oftendisturbing.View his other works before spending the money.Not for theweak of stomach! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Essays    2. Individual Photographer    3. Individual Photographers And Their Work    4. Photo Essays    5. Photoessays & Documentaries    6. Photography    7. Subjects & Themes - Travel - World/Europe    8. Individual artists    9. Photographs: collections    10. Social classes    11. Ukraine