Where the West Ends

By: Michael J. Totten

Narrated by: Steven Roy Grimsley

Length: 8 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's Summary

Prize-winning author Michael J. Totten returns with a masterpiece of travel writing and history in this journey through 13 nations - all but two formerly communist - just beyond the edge of the West where few casual travelers venture.

His work as an independent foreign correspondent takes him deep into the field beyond the sensational headlines, from his hilariously miserable road trip with his best friend to Iraq to the Wild West of Albania, the most bizarre country in Europe; from the killing fields in Bosnia and Kosovo to a Romania haunted by the ghosts of its communist past; from the front lines in the Caucasus during Russia's invasion of Georgia to the otherworldly post-Soviet disasterscape in Ukraine. Where the West Ends is high-octane adventure writing at its finest and is Michael J. Totten's most entertaining work written to date.

©2012 Michael J. Totten (P)2013 Michael Totten

Like being there

Totten's retelling of his journeys through the Mideast, the Balkans, and former Soviet republics is very entertaining and informative, always against the backdrop of recent history and the people who live there.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Loved this book

If you could sum up Where the West Ends in three words, what would they be?

Riveting Travel Essay

What did you like best about this story?

Was looking for more information about the Balkans and this was not only informative, but very entertaining and would call it a page turner except I listened to it. Would definitely listen or read to other books by him just because I liked the author and his style of delivery. If you have any interest in this area of the world, this would be a good read/listen.

Any additional comments?

Solid book. Wish he had more about this area and I could find more like this.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Not a right wing fanatic

I just have to comment on one of the earlier reviews which state that Totten is a right wing fanatic, it almost put me off from reading this book. This is far from true, sure he is pro-Israeli and has an American perspective but he could very well be a Democrat. There is nothing fanatical or even extreme about his views.

9 of 12 people found this review helpful

Interesting travels

A very interesting book about parts of the world you don't really hear much about. Partly tralelbook, but mostly about the places itself. Highly recommended

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A journey through the most interesting part of the world

This book brings the listener on a road trip through the edges of western civilization—from Turkey to Iraq, and around the balkans. A great listen for a long drive. His writing paints colorful pictures of life in vibrant and chaotic parts of the world.

Freedom is Unappreciated

Description of places and conditions was exceptional. Really gave me a better understanding of all the regional conflicts. Our freedom is unappreciated since we have never been without it.

Loved it!

A great story both informative and enjoyable! A great fun perspective not often heard.

Must like historical facts in monotone...

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

The book started off very interesting for the first few chapters but soon each chapter began to sound like the one before it. I would listen for a while and then wait a few days and come back to it. I tried to like this book but did not finish it. I just could not see spending any more time on it.

Would you ever listen to anything by Michael J. Totten again?

Not sure.

What didn’t you like about Steven Roy Grimsley’s performance?

The performance was dry. There were a few instances where there was elevated tones in his voice but it all just seemed to sound the same after a while. It could have just been the material or perhaps Grimsley is just a little too laid back for this book.

Could you see Where the West Ends being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Doubtful. There would need to be a lot more action and drama.

Any additional comments?

The story seems like an interesting one, for a while, but there just wasn't enough drama to keep my interest.

Where ever you go there you are

A very good book if you're someone curious about a region, as he aptly points out, that is somewhat lost between East and West. Totten is clearly up to the challenge of trying to write about a road trip where nothing happens. In fact several road trips. This is magnified by the fact that someone decided that because nothing happened that the book was too short and that he should try to make it as long as possible.
All that aside, his descriptions are enticing and his insights penetrating; his thoughts on the Ukraine are eerily prescient. And because nothing happens we are left with the country itself, a remarkable book

May you live in interesting times...

The author gives new meaning to the ancient eastern cursze: "may you lice in interesting times," by plunging headlong unto the most politically interesting p?aces on earth 😱=-O

An average story, with awful narration

I was hoping for some informative, descriptive, possibly even insightful stories about the countries Mr Totten travelled through. Unfortunately, the book seems to be more of a "we did this, then this, then went here" without ever really giving you a feel for the places visited - he certainly doesn't paint a vivid picture of anywhere he visits. Perhaps it feels like it was written by a journalist rather than a travel writer - the narrative doesn't really flow, even within a chapter. It's more like collected snippets.

While the story wasn't great, the narration is awful. Mr Grimsley sounds like he has a terrible cold and stresses odd syllables. His intonation is all over the place. It's a real effort to listen to him, which is the kiss of death for an audio book! If you like the sound of this, I'd probably track down a written copy.