Tayler, a journalist who frequently contributes to The Atlantic Monthly, Salon, and who currently lives in Moscow, has turned travel writer in this tale of his overland journey across the entire Asian continent (from Siberia to Poland), a trip totaling 8,000 miles. Often mistaken for KGB or CIA because of his camera, he encountered innumerable adventures. Through it all, however, his focus on the people and his commentary on the political and social distress this region is facing as it tries to transition from communism to democracy are sincere and at times heart-rending.