Dateline Mongolia: An American Journalist in Nomad's Land

by Michael Kohn

Book Overview

Michael Kohn, former editor of the Mongol Messenger newspaper, is one step ahead of the journalistic posse in this epic Western set in the Far East. Kohn's memoir of his time as a newsman in Mongolia... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1571431551
• ISBN13: 9781571431554
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: RDR Books
• Length: 346 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

A very good read whether you plan to travel to Mongolia or not

A most fascinating journey into the otherwise mysterious world of Mongolia. Kohn has a keen sense of the land, the history, and the people and is able to convey it to readers in a way that is at some points heart-breaking and at others inspirational; all the time being engaging, humorous when appropriate, and tremendously insightful.

A blend of travelogue and cultural understanding

Any reader looking for a blend of travelogue and cultural understanding will find Dateline Mongolia: An American Journalist in Nomad's Land fits the bill. It tells of the author's journeys through Mongolia and its cultural milieu, from turf wars between lamas and shamans to falcon poachers and exiled Buddhist leaders and child jockeys. His first-person encounters with the peoples of Mongolia bring to life the nation's peoples and culture like no other: any general lending collection strong in travel and cultural exploration - particular Asian cultures - will want this. Diane C. Donovan California Bookwatch

A fascinating insight into a very different place

I was sent this book to read and started it in earnest, having not read much travel literature before. I enjoyed it from start to finish. Michael Kohn adopts a very conversational style to tell his story and each episode is told well. He illustrates all the people he met with such detail that by the end you feel you know them and I was heartened to read that he married one of his friends whom he met out there. Michael tells the story of Mongolia from the cities to the steppes and includes some interesting insights into its political history including its sometimes painful transition from Soviet Communism to a free-market economy. In this reviewer's opinion it made that transition quite well with little of the corruption of the ex-Soviet states to the West. In short this book brought a whole culture and country to my attention which I had never thought existed; believing as I did that Mongolia was much like an outpost of China. For seasoned travellers and armchair enthusiasts alike, this book will interest you.

For the traveler who wants a current and historical view of Mongolia

A delightful book. It is well written, giving vivid and humorous descriptions of the author's experiences while living in Mongolia.

A very entertaining travel book.

A beautifully written book. Michael gives us an insight into a part of the world that is unfamiliar to most of us. A very enjoyable read.