Imperium

More about the book

Ryszard Kapuscinski's last book, The Soccer War, earned him acclaim as a master of modern reportage. In his equally powerful work, he offers a personal exploration of the complex Soviet empire. He begins with childhood memories of postwar Soviet occupation in Pinsk, Poland, and progresses to his early journalism days in 1967, traversing snow-covered Siberia and the diverse cultures of the Soviet Union’s southern and Central Asian republics. Between 1989 and 1991, he undertook extensive journeys through the crumbling empire, documenting his experiences as he traveled over 40,000 miles from Poland to notorious gulags in Siberia, and from the Arctic Circle to Afghanistan. He engaged with the lives of countless individuals, seeking to understand the multifaceted reality of the empire in decline. The book concludes with notes reflecting on the state of the ex-USSR, shaped by his experiences and observations during his travels. Kapuscinski's unique perspective, combining media portrayals with real-life encounters, reveals the most significant aspects of a society in turmoil. This remarkable work showcases his deep curiosity, passion for truth, and the profound importance of history as it unfolds in everyday life.