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There are currently 13 member reviews
for Murderers in Mausoleums
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Anne (Fredonia WI)
Murderer in Ancient Lands
As a student of Anthropology, I became engrossed in this book with it's "far-a-way" places that take me back, not just to my studying days, but to that dream land I used to fantasize about as a student, to those people who lived there and what life must have been like so long ago. Another mystery, will we ever know what really happened? And what happens in that land now, with all of the technology and information, truth is always hidden behind speculation, here-say and people's obscured witness. A good read, a good mystery, a good life lesson.
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Shelby (Hamden CT)
Bone up on your Russian history!
Although dense with history and visits to all the "stans" this book gives very good reason to consider the position of the US in foreign affairs.
The author travels from Moscow to Beiing speaking to the locals about their political views and the insights are stunning.
I found it very interesting as someone who is unfamiliar with this part of the world but would recommend you acquaint yourself with Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union before you read it. Each person seems to come from a different ethnic group and references to them can be very confusing.
It's worth the read though if only for the feel you get of each place.
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Ann (Baltimore MD)
Murderers in Mausoleums
This is a wonderful description of a trip the author takes from Moscow to Beijing, through southern Russia, the "Stans" and western China. The author's amazing language skills allow him to interact with the people he meets along the way, giving the reader a remarkable window into what is going on in a region that is largely off our radar screens. I was fascinated, torn between the book, Google Earth, and my trusty atlas. Highly recommended for those armchair travelers who like to go off the beaten path.
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Nancy (Hobe Sound FL)
Murderers in Mausoleums
Jeffrey Tayler has written a fine work of nonfiction that spells out the future of not only Eurasia, but of the west as well. In many ways, it's a bit frightening, and his book was written before the recent events in Russia that seem to make what he says very believable. His work should not be overlooked by people who are interested in the current goings on in the former USSR, and maybe it should be sent to a few of our politicians as well. He's a fine writer, reporting what he sees and hears and coming to some startling conclusions. I'd definitely recommend it.
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Chet (Las Vegas NV)
Perception & Reality
Jeffrey Tayler is a brave social demographer. A recent headline in the NYT noted that "2 More Journalists Are Attacked in Caucasus", Tayler's area of travel.
This is an enjoyable light read with anecdotal stories of ethnic middle easterner's perception of the past and present.
Paul Thoreaux allegedly said that the most interesting travel stories are "...the stories about a trip that make a drama--an ordeal--out of something pretty banal...". Tayler gives the reader some of that drama in his adventures in the Caucasus. He gives his stories some credibility by being an American living in Russia and speaking or understanding a number of middle eastern languages.
"Murderers in Mausoleums" is a striking commentary on the damage that President Bush has done to America's international reputation at a country citizen's level of understanding.
It is also a topical explanation of how ethnic diversity is a critical factor in influencing history's course and people's memories and perceptions of famous and infamous leaders.
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Carol (Leland NC)
Murderers in Mausoleums
The story of a journalist's travels from Moscow through Beijing. The idea to converse with the locals, understand their opinion of their government and their view of the US and the West was a good idea but fell far short of what I had expected. I had difficulty understanding in the outlying republics which are now independent of Russia, the hate for George Bush and the seeming embrace of Putin and authoritarianism. In China the author notes the inhabitants love of Western "culture", i.e. nightclubs, music, dress, vs.the popularity with some of Genghis Khan and the celebration of National Day and Mao The book would have been relevant if the author could have provided a more robust perspective of why these individuals would choose autocratic government vs. democracy. How can the atrocities committed by these leaders not create a drive towards free societies?
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