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Stephen M. Bland

Goodreads Author

Website

http://www.stephenmbland.com

Twitter

StephenMBland

Genre

Travel, History, Nonfiction

Member Since

March 2017

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/stephenmbland

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A freelance journalist, author and researcher specialising in Central Asia and the Caucasus with a minor in South-East Asia, my articles have appeared in numerous publications including The Diplomat, Vice, Motherboard, EurasiaNet and Perceptive Travel. You can view a selection at www.stephenmbland.com
In my book - Does it Yurt? Travels in Central Asia or How I Came to Love the Stans - I take the reader on a voyage of discovery. A mix of travel, history, and reportage, the book explores the region’s rich heritage, unearthing the stories of the people and places of these fascinating lands.
I'm currently putting the finishing touches to a book on the Caucasus and collaborating on two other new manuscripts.

Selected press for Does it Yurt?

‘Packed A freelance journalist, author and researcher specialising in Central Asia and the Caucasus with a minor in South-East Asia, my articles have appeared in numerous publications including The Diplomat, Vice, Motherboard, EurasiaNet and Perceptive Travel. You can view a selection at www.stephenmbland.com
In my book - Does it Yurt? Travels in Central Asia or How I Came to Love the Stans - I take the reader on a voyage of discovery. A mix of travel, history, and reportage, the book explores the region’s rich heritage, unearthing the stories of the people and places of these fascinating lands.
I'm currently putting the finishing touches to a book on the Caucasus and collaborating on two other new manuscripts.

Selected press for Does it Yurt?

‘Packed with insights into every corner of the region.' Paul Wilson, Trailblazer Guides writer and author of The Alphabet Game.
‘Written sharply, vividly… If you're looking for an antidote to chirpy travel-guide descriptions of Central Asia, then this is the book for you.’ Sam Tranum, author of Daily Life in Turkmenbashy's Golden Age.
'Weaves together historical context and current observations mixed with a dry sense of humour and amusing anecdotes... Does it Yurt? will result in my journey to Central Asia being that much more rewarding.’ Ric Gazarian, author of 7000KM To Go and Hit the Road India; top 500 travel blogger.
‘Stephen M. Bland’s writing captures the magical whirlwind flavour of Central Asia in this very perceptive and insightful book. Those who have visited this wonderful part of the world will instantly recognise and reminisce on the many stories of potholed journeys by shared taxi, generous encounters with friendly locals and the inevitable run-ins with bumbling bureaucracy. Those who haven’t yet visited will be inspired to book their next adventure as soon as they can put the book down. A thrilling ride from start to finish.’ Nick Rowan, author of Friendly Steppes: A Silk Road Journey.
'Provides unrivalled insight into life within Central Asia today. Interwoven between the fascinating portrayals of everyday characters are illuminating details and observations; creating a story as rich and expansive as the landscape through which [the author] journeys.' - Matthew Traver, Filmmaker.
'Deserves to be shared among friends, as well as having a designated place on your shelves. Stephen M. Bland succeeds in bringing the region alive, and his story is a hard-to-decline invitation to join in his travels.' Eugenette Morin, travel writer.
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Stephen M. Bland's Blog

Ashgabat – The Marble City of Love

Demarcating the border with Iran, the Kopet Dag Mountains glimmered in the distance as we sped along a six-lane superhighway lined with parched earth coloured tanks. Entering the outskirts of Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, conurbations were soon consumed by the otherworldly megalopolis. Our taksi rattling through former dictator Saparmurat Niyazov’s hometown of Gypjak, the minarets of his Read more of this blog post »

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Published on March 12, 2017 10:20 • Tags: ashgabat, central-asia, turkmenistan

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Stephen M. Bland’s books

Average rating: 3.67 · 51 ratings · 3 reviews · 1 distinct work • Similar authors

Does it Yurt? Travels in Central Asia Or How I Came to Love the Stans

3.67 avg rating — 51 ratings — published 2016 — 3 editions

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Stephen is Currently Reading

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Life and Fate

by Vasily Grossman

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Sep 22, 2020 09:20AM

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Days in the Caucasus

by Banine

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Mar 28, 2020 04:47AM

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Dark Shadows: Inside the Secret World of Kazakhstan

by Joanna Lillis

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Dec 01, 2019 05:55AM

Topics Mentioning This Author

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The Seasonal Read...: Completed Tasks: PLEASE DO NOT DELETE ANY POST IN THIS THREAD	4046	368	Nov 30, 2018 09:27PM
The Seasonal Read...: * anyone with librarian status....	4159	1345	11 hours, 52 min ago

Stephen’s Quotes

“Everything’s looted, betrayed and traded,
black death’s wing’s overhead.
Everything’s eaten by hunger, unsated,
so why does a light shine ahead?

By day, a mysterious wood, near the town,
breathes out cherry, a cherry perfume.
By night, on July’s sky, deep, and transparent,
new constellations are thrown.

And something miraculous will come
close to the darkness and ruin,
something no-one, no-one, has known,
though we’ve longed for it since we were children.”
― Anna Akhmatova

tags: everything

5 likes