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"High Caucasus" distinguishes itself in the genre of travel memoirs with its compelling narrative and exploration of a relatively unknown region. The book details journalist Tom Parfitt's 1,000-mile journey across the Caucasus Mountains of Russia. Tom's expedition is motivated by two goals: to find closure from the horrors of the Beslan school siege and to gain insight into the violence of a region that echoes the current turmoil in Ukraine. His travels from Sochi on the Black Sea to Derbent, a historic city on the Caspian Sea, lead him through the political, religious, and ethnic divides of seven Russian republics, including Chechnya and Dagestan. Tom's interactions with local shepherds, the bear-infested forests, and the towering Elbrus (Europe's highest peak) create a vivid mosaic of experiences. He confronts personal trauma from Beslan and subsequent nightmares. Amid the harsh terrain, he discovers camaraderie with the locals he encounters. The Caucasus serves as a setting for Tom's personal growth and recovery, revealing its hidden histories and complex cultural layers. Tom illuminates the term "Caucasian," historically used for white Europeans, and the region's overlooked narratives. He notes that the Caucasians have scarcely seen the wealth that Russia's oil and natural resources have generated. Overall, "High Caucasus" goes beyond the standard travel memoir, intertwining personal reflection, historical inquiry, and a striking depiction of a region that is both breathtakingly beautiful and fraught with conflict. 'A travel book for our time' Sara Wheeler
'A thrilling, profound masterpiece' Nicholas Crane
'Outstanding' Times
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Beacon, Wantage, United Kingdom
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