Sovietrek: A Journey by Bicycle Across Russia [Library Binding]

Dan Buettner (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5 Up-A four-man American/Russian team set out in June, 1990, on a bicycle trip across Europe and the Soviet Union. This highly readable account of their amazing journey will appeal to many readers, but armchair-travelog devotees will be unable to put it down. Buettner's excellent full-color photographs enhance the text and lend a personal touch to the descriptions of his and his fellow cylcers' encounters and experiences. Time after time people went out of their way to help them through hardships caused by difficult terrain, inclement weather, and medical problems. This book not only provides lessons in geography, but also gives readers insight into Russian culture in off-the-beaten-track rural areas, particularly Kazakhstan and Siberia. Buettner uses and explains everyday Russian terms; a pronunciation guide is included. The full-color maps are numerous and of high quality. This unusual title belongs in all school and public libraries, where it will find many uses- but above all it is an exciting read.
Sue A. Norkeliunas, Arlington Senior High School, LaGrangeville, NY
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

A cyclist who holds the Guinness world record for a trek from Alaska to Argentina describes another adventurous jaunt, the longest link of a round-the-world trip across Eurasia and the US. Accompanied by his brother and two Russians--a teacher and a biologist with medical training--the author reached the Soviet border on June 4, 1990 and ``spent the next 124 days biking eastward through grasslands, mountains, and mud to get to Vladivostok,'' traversing 13 time zones in the 7,353 miles. After summarizing the trip's early stages, Buettner focuses on the group's Russian experiences--the richly varied terrain (some of it almost impassable with mud or boulders), the food, the helpful people, their lifestyles. A profusion of the author's excellent color photos enliven each spread; useful maps in each chapter follow the group's progress, with insets to place areas of detail in larger context and keys to elevation (of particular interest to bike riders). A fascinating journey that will appeal both to young athletes and to those who appreciate Buettner's openhearted response to, and appreciative descriptions of, the friendly people he met along the way. Pronunciation guide; glossary; index. (Nonfiction. 10+) -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Library Binding: 104 pages
• Publisher: Lerner Pub Group (L) (August 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822529505
• ISBN-13: 978-0822529507
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 1.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,916,596 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dan Buettner is a National Geographic Explorer, a writer, and the founder of Quest Network, Inc. His 2005 cover story for National Geographic magazine, "Secrets of Living Longer," was a finalist for the National Magazine Award. He has appeared on CNN, David Letterman, Good Morning America, Primetime Live, and the Today Show to discuss his Blue Zone research and has delivered more than 500 keynote speeches over the last 10 years.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Descriptive and interesting, September 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Sovietrek: A Journey by Bicycle Across Russia (Library Binding)

What is often missing in writings about Russia is a vision of the people as generous. In this book, an interest in outsiders and a willingness to share often meager resources characterize the people.

There are plenty of stunning photographs and descriptions of the trials endured by the travelers. Bugs and mud come to mind. One gets a strong sense of the excitement and adventure that motivated the guys to take the trek.

A child of eight or ten could handle this book, but for an adult of twenty-eight, it was still interesting.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars no title, December 30, 2005

By 

C. L Wilson (Elmhurst, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sovietrek: A Journey by Bicycle Across Russia (Library Binding)

Wonderul book on a simply amazing bicycle trek. Pictures were stunners. This man has biked from the polar regions to Tierra del Fuego, circumnavigated the globe, of which the journey across Russia was but a part, and biked the length of the African continent. Incredible feats, hardships, and adventures. Immensely enjoyable for all ages.

5.0 out of 5 stars fascinating and fun, August 4, 2011

By 

Scott N. Stone (Washington,, DC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sovietrek: A Journey by Bicycle Across Russia (Library Binding)

This book is a lot of fun to read, especially for those with an interest in Russia or bicycle travels, or both. It's a quick read -- mostly photos, but with enough narrative to convey the sense of adventure (and sometimes physical pain and exhaustion) entailed in riding most of the way across the world's largest continent. The roads in Siberia were not good, and sometimes non-existent, but through resourcefulness and timely help by equally resourceful Soviet citizens, they made it all the way across.