Farewell to Russia

‘Brilliantly introduces us to faraway countries about which we should know more’ Tim Marshall, author of Prisoners of Geography

‘A sparklingly erudite and entertaining odyssey through the shock-waves of the USSR’s demise, this book does what good travel writing should: make the world feel more diverse and more wonderful.’ Nick Hunt, author of Outlandish: Walking Europe’s Unlikely Landscapes

‘Barnes has absorbed the dark sense of humour that is part of the legacy of empire, and has a keen eye for the other common features that the USSR has left behind.’ Lewis Baston, author of Borderlines: A History of Europe in 29 Borders

‘This book is a thought-provoking journey through the lands once ruled by Russia, by an author with an empathetic manner and a sharp eye for the absurd. Barnes teases out the complexities of these diverse countries, stretching from the eastern fringes of Europe to Central Asia’s borders with China, as they navigate their way to nationhood.’ Joanna Lillis, author of Silk Mirage: Through the Looking Glass in Uzbekistan

‘Insightful … [Barnes] gives space for local voices and opinions, and sacrifices his liver to all sorts of tipples in the process.’ Chris Aslan, author of Unravelling the Silk Road

‘An entertaining tour through one of the least understood regions on Earth … This is a lively, intelligent and often illuminating look at a region that still shapes the modern world more than many in the West realise.’ Geographical

Joe Luc Barnes spent six years living in former Soviet countries from 2014, has a Master’s in Russian and East European Studies from the University of Oxford and now reports from the region as a journalist in English, Russian and Spanish language media. He has contributed to numerous English language media, including The Financial Times; Nikkei; The Diplomat; and The Times of Central Asia. This includes reporting over the past year from Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. He has visited all fifteen former USSR republics since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022. He lives in London.

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