'People half her age would balk at the marathon journeys undertaken, largely by foot and bike, by the formidable Dervla Murphy.' -- Belfast Telegraph 20050223 'Relaxed, comfortable and personal ... this is an entertaining insight into a little travelled part of the world.' -- Adventure Travel 20050101 'A magical revelation of the hidden corner of the world that is post-communist Russia' -- Irish Times 20051203 'A great read, full of Dervla's usual verve and determination despite a very sore leg which stymied her onward journey.' -- Sunday Independent 'Her 20th travel book, but reads as freshly as if it were her first. Told with characteristic spirit, this the is the story of the land, the people and the cheer' -- Wanderlust 20050201 'Murphy's accidents give rise to a fascinating account ... her interest in everyone she meets seems to bring us into their cramped living rooms.' -- Sunday Times 20050201 'An excellent work from the indefatigable, indomitable, incredible Irishwoman who's still traipsing around the weird and wonderful parts of the world at the age of 73.' -- Daily Mail 20050201 'What emerges is a travelogue that questions our perception of what Siberia really is, and draws an intimate portrait of its people ... her warmth, fortitude and strength of character make for a compelling read.' -- Sunday Tribune 20050201 'A moreish collection of postcards from a rather eccentric and supremely talented aunt.' -- Sunday Times 20050201 'A valuable contribution to understanding the world's bleakest inhabited region' -- TLS 20050204 'She is a bewitchingly good writer who does not need to make anything up' -- Mail on Sunday 20050213 'Fascinating. She makes the far-off seem approachable, and the adventurous possible.' -- Sunday Business Post, Dublin 20050213 'An accessible portrait of a land of extremes, written in a learned but chatty style' -- Ireland on Sunday 20050223

Dervla Murphy is one of the very best loved of travel writers. She was born in County Waterford and since 1964 has been regularly publishing accounts of her journeys - by bicycle and on foot -- in the remoter areas of four continents. She has also written about the problems of Northern Ireland, the hazards of nuclear power, and race relations in Britain. The Times Literary Supplement called her 'an admirable woman -- she has a romantic soul and a keen eye'.