Abkhazia is a region of Georgia in the north-west on the Black Sea.  In 2008, Russia and Georgia entered into a brief war, with the result of two new de facto states being created, Abkhazia and South Ossetia.  Read the account from a US diplomat who witnessed the march to war.

This true account reads better than any film.  Well, they actually made a movie about this amazing group of special forces soldiers who arrived in Afghanistan shortly after 9/11.  These soldiers teamed up with the Northern Alliance, rode horses, and called in close air support to defeat the Taliban.

This is a story of real life meeting real life. Shortly after 9/11 a Norwegian journalist embeds herself with an Afghan family. The protagonist/antagonist is a prominent bookseller who has both prospered in Kabul as well as been jailed. During my visit to Kabul, I went to the book store and met the main character, Sultan.

There are tourists, travelers, explorers, and then there is Rory Stewart. Stewart walked across Afghanistan in 2002, surviving on his language skills and knowledge of Muslim culture. Stewart overcomes everything from encounters with Taliban soldiers to hiking through snow covered mountains. He is comforted and cared for by complete strangers and the culture of hospitality during his journey.

This novel traces the lives of families in the northern rugged mountains of Albania.  The lands are governed by generation old customs (the Kanon) that result in a viscous cycle of blood feuds capped by murder.

France invaded Algeria in 1830 and at one time had one million colonizers in its North African neighbor. It was also a difficult and challenging relationship at best. Outright and sustained conflict took place between 1954-1962, with Algerians eventually winning their freedom against the French. At times, this can be a slow read but provides a comprehensive overview of a tragic relationship.

This book is a great overview to get you prepped for a trip to Andorra. This book is a compendium of amusing, fun, and interesting stories written by numerous authors.  I was surprised to learn how many different festivals Andorra hosts.

This petro state is not high on the list for tourists. Considered one of the most expensive countries in the world, limited tourist infrastructure, and a history of violence, turn off many travelers. This book traces the brutal and long civil war that took place after Angola’s independence from Portugal. Multiple players vow for power backed by a series of outside powers from the Soviet Union and the US to Cuba to South Africa.

I haven’t been here yet. Is there a book you would suggest?

If so, please reach out to me on Twitter or Facebook with your favorite book for that country.  Thanks!

This is a fictionalized account of Eva Peron, the First Lady of Argentina from 1946-1952.  Her story is told in reverse from her death to her childhood, where she grew up in poverty.

Armenia has withstood centuries of attacks and destruction, yet generation after generation the country and its people continue to survive and prosper.  The author travels to diasporan communities throughout the world as well as Armenia to track their progress and success.

There is nothing better than a good old travelogue.  The author, Raffi, buys a bike and decides to traverse the entire country in search (well, half-heartedly) of his future wife.  Raffi’s observational  skills and dry wit make this such a fun read while simultaneously providing context of Armenia’s rich history.  This book is a great introduction to Armenia and will be equally appreciated by a seasoned traveler who has been to Armenia many times.

Monte Melkonian grew up playing baseball in California, but died in the battlefields in a distant war of freedom in Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh). Artsakh was formally an enclave within Azerbaijan but has historically always been part of Armenia. This book shares Monte’s fight for his historical homeland.

This book traces the founding of Australia when England transported 160,000 Brits during the 18th and 19th century. Many of the original colonizers were convicts who were provided a second chance with their move to this foreign land.

An American moves to Australia and hilarity follows.  Tim Sweeney spends three years in Oz and shares his observations both funny and witty of every day life.  A great book when preparing for a visit to Australia.

I’ve been here, but I have not read a book yet for this country. Is there a book you would suggest?

If so, please reach out to me on Twitter or Facebook with your favorite book for that country.  Thanks!

I’ve been here, but I have not read a book yet for this country. Is there a book you would suggest?

If so, please reach out to me on Twitter or Facebook with your favorite book for that country.  Thanks!

I’ve been here, but I have not read a book yet for this country. Is there a book you would suggest?

If so, please reach out to me on Twitter or Facebook with your favorite book for that country.  Thanks!

I’ve been here, but I have not read a book yet for this country. Is there a book you would suggest?

If so, please reach out to me on Twitter or Facebook with your favorite book for that country.  Thanks!

Mohammed Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize recipient and author of this book describes his efforts and success of building Grameen Bank. Grameen Bank innovated and specialized in micro-lending with a emphasis on lending and empowering women. His efforts made a substantial impact on Bangladesh as well as the world.

I’ve been here, but I have not read a book yet for this country. Is there a book you would suggest?

If so, please reach out to me on Twitter or Facebook with your favorite book for that country.  Thanks!

Belarus is relegated as an afterthought for many when creating their favorite European country lists. Until recently it was one of the most difficult visas to get, limiting tourism. Arthur Chichester takes us on a low-grade adventure to the Chernobyl irradiated corners of Belarus. Along his way he meets locals and is often embraced with hospitality in these unvisited corners. The author is better known as his Youtube persona, the Bald and Bankrupt.

I’ve been here, but I have not read a book yet for this country. Is there a book you would suggest?

If so, please reach out to me on Twitter or Facebook with your favorite book for that country.  Thanks!

This is another true story that reads better than any novel. Sharon Matola, an American woman, ends up settling in Belize. She starts a zoo, caring for orphaned animals. Big business comes to Belize in the form of building a dam that would flood the last nesting ground of the brilliant scarlet macaws of Belize. This begins a multi-year, international fight, where Sharon and her allies, battle government forces and corporate giants who are intent on focusing on profits and not this precious natural resource.

This novel traces 19th century Brazilian sharecropper who travels to the Kingdom of Dahomey found in present day Benin.  The Brazilian, Francisco Manoel de Silva, surprisingly finds himself as member of the royal Dahomey court.  The book recounts de Silva trials and tribulations as well as his role in the cross-Atlantic slave trade.  The book ends as all of de Silva’s ancestors gather to celebrate and reminisce of their former patriarch.

A fish out of water story of a woman who moves to Bhutan, falls in love with a local, and gets married. The author recounts the cultural nuances and differences of the different lifestyles of the American wife and Bhutanese husband. She also weaves in interesting and novel Bhutanese history in this remote country.

The title sums up the book quite aptly. An American spends time traveling through Bolivia learning and encountering the peculiarities and culture of Bolivia. The author eats at Nazi Klaus Barbie’s favorite restaurant, spends time exploring dark and dank mines, learns about the 19th century war with Chile, partakes in Carnival and of course much more. A very readable travelogue of his adventures in landlocked Bolivia.

The author in his mid-20s jets to the former Yugoslavia for a three year period to witness the war with his own eyes.  He travels more like a local than a western journalist to provide a gripping account of the brutal violence.

This is a fun and easy read.  The author shares his experience of breaking into the safari game.  He provides the inside insights after you return to your lodge for the night.

The Olympics can be an incredibly powerful symbol of arrival on the worldstage.  Many cities have used this event to propel themselves to the next level.  Think of Beijing.  Rio de Janeiro rode a wave of strong commodity sales, which propelled many into the middle class.  The author depicts the challenges and victories as Rio prepares for 2016 Olympics.  This Rio native takes us to the favelas to the LGBT community to local caiman community.  It is an informative and engaging ride.

Sultan of Brunei is one of the richest persons in the world lives in a 1,788 room palace in this oil rich nation.  The author, a model, is recruited to attend a party for $20,000 for two weeks in South East Asia.  She ends up spending 18 months in Brunei providing insights into this secretive family.

This falls squarely in the genre of “fish out of water”. A Midwestern American travels to Sofia for his first time to coach and teach at the American high school. The author shares his trials and tribulations as he attempts to understand the unique psyche of the average Bulgarian. The book is filled with humor, sadness, and hope. I caught myself laughing out loud numerous time as the author tries to navigate and understand the high school players on his basketball team. The author also weaves in the history of this country on the edge of Europe. This book is a must read for anyone visiting Bulgaria.

Burkina Faso is a little-known country in West Africa. This book traces the history of this landlocked country that was a former colony of France. This book is somewhat of a dry account but provides you with an understanding of its challenging and chaotic history.

The Glass Palace begins in 1885, the year the British invaded Burma.  Burma’s last king and his family who are based in the fabled city of Mandalay, are sent off into exile in a small town in India.  The book traces over a 100 years of history visiting some of Burma’s most important times in history.

Fact is better than fiction is this highly engaging history of Wa State, a de facto country within Burma (Myanmar).  Wa State has been a giant producer of drugs for 50 years plus navigating between competing and collaborating with rival ethnic groups, the Burmese state, the US (CIA, DEA, and State), and China.  Wa State has been flooding the globe with heroin and then a major transition to Ya Ba which is highly addictive and popular meth drug in Southeast Asia.  A fascinating read.

This non-fiction account traces the life of Deo from Burundi, who escapes the violence and civil war in his home country.  He makes his way to NYC with $200 and no English skills.  He survives and prospers and makes his way back to Burundi to make a difference in his home country.

This is a first person account of a young girl’s experience growing up under the Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge vicious regime in Cambodia. At the age of five she is cleaved from her family and begins her horrific existence under this genocidal regime. This non-fiction account is a testament to the immense courage in the face of horrific brutality. This genocide touched every single family in Cambodia and will engender greater respect and understanding during your visit.

I haven’t been here yet. Is there a book you would suggest?

If so, please reach out to me on Twitter or Facebook with your favorite book for that country.  Thanks!

The author provides a humorous and illuminating account of his travels in Central Asia. He shares with us amusing and frustrating accounts one comes to expect when exploring in Central Asia. This is a great first hand account and introduction to the Stans.

Things changed dramatically as five new countries were born after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan gained their independence in 1991. And over time Russia, China, and the USA began a dance of influence and power over these five states. This book provides an over view of the last two decades of a very complicated and nuanced geopolitical struggle.

I’ve been here, but I have not read a book yet for this country. Is there a book you would suggest?

If so, please reach out to me on Twitter or Facebook with your favorite book for that country.  Thanks!

This book was originally published in the early 1970s.  It traces the history of the West African island nation of Cape Verde.  The other story tracks the emigration of Cape Verdeans from the late 19th century to New Bedford, MA, which has a large population of Cape Verdeans in the US.  My take away is how impoverished and unpleasant Cape Verde was according to the author.

I haven’t been here yet. Is there a book you would suggest?

If so, please reach out to me on Twitter or Facebook with your favorite book for that country.  Thanks!

This fictionalized account follows a group of American Peace Corps volunteers as they begin their two year service in Chad.  The author uses his personal experiences as a Peace Corp Volunteer and diplomat to provide context to his story of these volunteers navigating the challenges of living in a developing country.

I have been fascinated with Easter Island, the remote Pacific island which is part of Chile, since I was a kid. The island is populated with stone Moai statues. The book analyzes the competing theories of how the islanders came to populate the island and how the Moai were constructed.

A three generation account of 20th century life in China proves once again that true life is grander than fiction. The author begins with her grandmother whose feet were bound as a child, and who was sold as a concubine to a warlord. Her mother lived through Mao’s revolution and was later denounced during the Cultural Revolution. This book traces the jarring vicissitudes of China during the last century prior to launching their economic rocket ship. Reading this book prior to your trip, you will appreciate the magnitude of changes through the eyes of the author.

A three generation account of 20th century life in China proves once again that true life is grander than fiction. The author begins with her grandmother whose feet were bound as a child, and who was sold as a concubine to a warlord. Her mother lived through Mao’s revolution and was later denounced during the Cultural Revolution. This book traces the jarring vicissitudes of China during the last century prior to launching their economic rocket ship. Reading this book prior to your trip, you will appreciate the magnitude of changes through the eyes of the author.

Before there was Narcos there was Killing Pablo. Pablo Escobar was the most powerful and richest drug kingpin in the world.  His outsized presence, wealth, and predilection for violence altered the course of Colombia.  While Escobar had his passionate supporters, eventually the country and the people turned on him, he was hunted down and killed.  True life is better than fiction.

I haven’t been here yet. Is there a book you would suggest?

If so, please reach out to me on Twitter or Facebook with your favorite book for that country.  Thanks!

Over 80 million people live in the DRC, formally known as Zaire. The country is a smorgasbord of ethnicities, religions and languages. It is a country of amazing natural beauty but unfortunately poverty, war, and violence. The author attempts to explain it all in this daunting tomb. This is a bit of a slog to get through, trying to keep all the names and places straight, but a fantastic overview of the country.

This is a heartbreaking account of a father’s search for his son in the jungles of Costa Rica.  The father and author recounts his love of nature and adventure which he passed on to his son.  His son goes missing while trekking in this Central American country.  The father, Roman Dial, and his family mobilize all their resources to search for their son.

I always enjoy these fish-out-of-water cultural stories.  This tale finds an Oklahoman chasing a Croat to her homeland, getting married and starting a family in a new homeland. As he attempts to integrate into the milieu, he records all of the nuances that makes travel so special.

Through Bacardi, the bat-famous rum, serves as a lens to trace the volatile Cuban history. The multi-generation Bacardi family has its hand in many aspects of Cuban history. Spanish colonization. The fight for freedom. US influence. Castro’s revolution. And life in exile. A great overview and introduction into Cuba’s amazing history and culture.

The author was a colonial child of the British Empire.  He found himself in Cyprus after the end of WWII and shares his stories and perspectives as both a travel writer and former government worker.  The explains the push and pull from the Turks, the Greeks, the Brits and of course the natives.

Alexander Dubcek was a long time politician from Czechoslovakia who attempted to marry communism with “socialism with a human face”. Reforms were instituted in the country until the 1968 invasion led by the Soviet Union, which firmly placed the country back under communism.  During the 1989Velvet Revolution he sided with the pro-democracy forces and entered government again after being forced out in the 1970s.

Greenland is part of Denmark and is not an officially recognized country by the UN, hence the categorization under Denmark. The author share with us a true account of an air force plane that crashes in icy, formidable Greenland. This is an epic tale of survival, and an intense display of courage by the rescuers.

There are slim pickings when it comes to books on Djibouti.  I found this book by famed author which tells a tale of pirates (from Somalia) on the high seas and the unique characters who find their way to Djibouti.

I haven’t been here yet. Is there a book you would suggest?

If so, please reach out to me on Twitter or Facebook with your favorite book for that country.  Thanks!

I’ve been here, but I have not read a book yet for this country. Is there a book you would suggest?

If so, please reach out to me on Twitter or Facebook with your favorite book for that country.  Thanks!

Part travelogue and part economic treatise, this book traces the creation of the Panama Hat through its journey to the end user.  First thing you ill be surprised at, is the Panama Hat comes from Ecuador not Panama.  Enjoy this fast paced and light read.

If you love amazing and engaging history that spans centuries and centuries, check out this book.  The author traces the fascinating history from one of the world’s oldest inhabited cities. The one constant is the never ending changing city that adapts and transforms to prosper for another century.

This is another one of those ugly wars fought in Central America. El Salvador was part of the great game of democracy verse communism. US trained, El Salvadoran troops stormed into the village of El Mozote, hundreds of locals were brutally wiped out.

The title really sums it up.  Take a tiny African nation where they speak Spanish and also have incredible oil wealth.   A cabal of international mercenaries combine forces to create a plan that does not come to fruition.

There is not a vast choice of books in regard to Eritrea, but this book provides a highly readable account of Eritrea. Eritrea rests on the Red Sea next to Ethiopia and just gained its independence in the early 1990s. The book recounts a long and brutal history of wars, colonization, civil wars, and now a one-party dictatorship. Its nickname today is the “North Korea of Africa”.

These three Baltic countries were independent before WWII, but were incorporated into the Soviet Union against their will after the war.  This book details the machinations of 1991, when the people of these three countries finally were able to declare independence from the Soviet Union.    

There is not a vast choice of books in regard to Eritrea, but this book provides a highly readable account of Eritrea. Eritrea rests on the Red Sea next to Ethiopia and just gained its independence in the early 1990s. The book recounts a long and brutal history of wars, colonization, civil wars, and now a one-party dictatorship. Its nickname today is the “North Korea of Africa”.

The author, Will Lutwick, is plopped down in Fiji in the late 1960s while Fiji is preparing for independence and America is in the throes of the Vietnam War. Luttwick a Peace Corp Volunteer falls in love with a local Indian girl and clashes with the forces of the island’s conservatism. Light and interesting read to prepare you for Fiji.

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Of course, I could have placed this book under the US heading, but I feel this is still an excellent option for those visiting France, even more so if visiting the Normandy area.  This epic account follows the soldiers of Easy Company, 506th Airborne Division, U.S. Army, from training camp to their historic landing on D-Day to their march on Germany.

I haven’t been here yet. Is there a book you would suggest?

If so, please reach out to me on Twitter or Facebook with your favorite book for that country.  Thanks!