A smashing book, no other word for it! An author who seems to have spent most of his talent for excellent prose and vivid description on creating works on his favorite cartoon character (Tintin) suddenly reveals his talent in producing a wonderful travel, history and political masterwork!?

Well researched account of the emergence of the constrained, oppressed, bullied and depressed Eastern block though its velvet revolutions from communists rule, Farr (aided no doubt by his able journalist wife Anna) offers the reader a very readable - nay, consumable- book about Mittel-Europe, second to none. Thrilling, chilling and very personal.

I am able to recommend this work after an enjoyable, fist read, to any history buff, any reader of European history and any travel aficionado without hesitation. I have already ordered his next on Berlin,

I can offer no opinion on his extensive works on cartoons.