Nonfiction: Into Siberia by Gregory J. Wallance

It felt more than appropriate to read Gregory J. Wallance's Into Siberia: George Kennan's Epic Journey Through the Brutal, Frozen Heart of Russia when I did, which was during a hard freeze in my area back in mid-January. Granted, the temperatures and conditions I dealt with are nothing close to what is talked about in the book. Not only does the book describe harsh weather conditions, but it takes a close look at Russia's exile system as it existed in the late 19th century.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a nonfiction book that centers around the life of journalist and explorer George Kennan, a man who would come to devote his life to enlightening Americans about the brutality of Russia's exile system. As a young man, Kennan sought out adventure, and would eventually journey through Siberia for the first time at the young age of 20, as part of a group exploring a possible route for a telegraph line. Kennan travel throughout the frozen region two more times in his life, the last of which is the primary subject of the book. During his exile investigation in 1885, Kennan would encounter harsh weather conditions, but also the realities of a system that he had formerly defended to the American people, and even have a meeting with literary legend Leo Tolstoy. His new views on the issue would become the subject of many articles and lectures that would aid in the unraveling of the formerly friendly relationship between the U.S. and Russia.

My Verdict: This book not only delivers on the promise of detailing Kennan's adventures through Siberia, but it also adds much more in the way of historical context, such as the political and social climate of post-Civil War America, and why the American people would be so ready to take up the cause of Russian exiles half-way around the world. There is the first layer, with plenty of mention of snow storms, lack of food, illness, and even injury. Then there is the second layer of the atrocious treatment of the Russian exiles. And then there is the last layer, where Wallance acknowledges the issues that our own country was dealing with at the time. Many may know about the Russian Revolution, as well as Russia's part in World Wars I and II, and the Cold War. But many will be interested to learn about Kennan's findings and how his discoveries would effect U.S./Russian relations.

Favorite Moment: I appreciated the inclusion of several pictures that were sketched by artist George Frost, as he accompanied Kennan on his exile investigation.

Recommended Reading: Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Sepetys is a young adult novel that follows a young girl and her family as they are exiled to Siberia during World War II. Also, for lovers of the classics, I recommend Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky.