Black Earth: A Journey Through Russia After the Fall

by Andrew Meier

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228	5	125,634	(4.19)	6
"Andrew Meier stood witness to the tumultuous final years of the USSR. But when many other journalists had taken leave of this vexed and beguiling land, believing it drained of stories. Meier returned, covering Russia and the former Soviet states as a Moscow correspondent for Time magazine from 1996 to 2001. In all, Meier reported from the lands of the former Soviet Union longer than almost any other Western journalist." "Inspired by both Russophile American writers like Edmund Wilson and native geniuses like Anton Pavlovich Chekhov - both of whom had attempted to penetrate Russia's veils of secrecy and lore - Meier journeyed to the five corners of this resurgent and reputedly free land: newly rich Moscow, war-torn Chechnya, arctic Norilsk, haunted Sakhalin, and proudly crumbling St. Petersburg. Such a wide lens makes Black Earth perhaps the most insightful book on post-Soviet Russia written to date, one that captures its present limbo - a land rich in potential, yet its people ever fearful of staggering back into repression and tyranny."--Jacket.… (more)

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Although the book is dated (copyrighted in 2003) I learned a lot about the people of Russia during that time. What was it like to survive the gulag? What was it like to survive Communism? Stalinsism? What was it like to live through the Oligarch's raping of Russian resources? Answers to these questions are found in the book. Meier shares answers from the common people. The books is interestingly written and I recommend it. (I bought my copy at a half-price book store.) (

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allen.musicman | Apr 17, 2010 |

A very readable account of post-Soviet life written by a journalist with deep experience in living in in the country before and during perestroika as well as after 1991. The tone of the book is pretty pessimistic, but this is not surprising under the circumstances. The author has visited Moscow, St Petersburg, Chechnya, Norilsk in the far North and Sakhalin in the Far East. He captures the range and the warp and weft of Russian life much better than would an account solely based on experiences of life in the two main cities. A remarkable read and in places, esp. the section on Chechnya, quite horrific. (

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john257hopper | Apr 6, 2010 |

Never have I seen such a thorough -- with total understanding -- analysis of that mysterious country, Russia. I am part Russian (although tracing my genealology has produced but vague results), and I can't imagine living there. Now I know why my ancestors left and came here. Meier's excellent work traces the explotative, wild, and absolutely tragic nature and on-going harsh conditions in that vast, mysterious land that never seem to really change in severeity whether it be czarist, Communist, or post-Soviet. I have some knowledge, albeit it scant, of Russia, but Meier has vast knowledge and, bookwise, he DID IT! He pulls no punches. I would recommend the book to anyone who really wants to understand today's and yesterday's Russia. Even though I, too, have been a journalist (some 40 years and now retired) and feel some "Russian soul" I'll never begin to understand that land. Congratulations to Mr. Meier, and God b less him.

wruble58382 | Jan 9, 2010 |

Nonfiction account of Moscow and the former Soviet Union after the fall of the empire. Interesting journalistic account. (

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Gary10 | Oct 12, 2008 |

Meier travels the lengths of Russia describing events, conditions, and the history of places that make up the character of the new (and old) Russia. (

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JBreedlove | Dec 10, 2005 |

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Cyberwarfare in Russia

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"Andrew Meier stood witness to the tumultuous final years of the USSR. But when many other journalists had taken leave of this vexed and beguiling land, believing it drained of stories. Meier returned, covering Russia and the former Soviet states as a Moscow correspondent for Time magazine from 1996 to 2001. In all, Meier reported from the lands of the former Soviet Union longer than almost any other Western journalist." "Inspired by both Russophile American writers like Edmund Wilson and native geniuses like Anton Pavlovich Chekhov - both of whom had attempted to penetrate Russia's veils of secrecy and lore - Meier journeyed to the five corners of this resurgent and reputedly free land: newly rich Moscow, war-torn Chechnya, arctic Norilsk, haunted Sakhalin, and proudly crumbling St. Petersburg. Such a wide lens makes Black Earth perhaps the most insightful book on post-Soviet Russia written to date, one that captures its present limbo - a land rich in potential, yet its people ever fearful of staggering back into repression and tyranny."--Jacket.

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