"The first toast is to peace"
I am writing this review with rather mixed feelings. I was looking forwards to reading this book about travels in the Caucasus, a rather off the beaten track region still coming to terms with the turmoils of post-Soviet statehood and ethnic tensions. I was hoping for a book combining information and descriptions of the spectacular landscape, the diverse cultures and insights into the current situation in Georgia, Armenia or Azerbaidshan. Having read the book, I feel a bit disappointed, especially after learning the author is a long-time Reuters journalist. Because yes, this is nice easy reading, dropping a bit on local winemaking and “delightful people” met on the travel. Bits on sightseeing and hiking treks, but they remain a bit vague, not really all that different from the just-scratching-the-surface descriptions of tourist guidebooks. I would have been interested in more details, color, atmosphere. Stephen Powell does write a bit on the geopolitical aspects o...