|
Zone 22 | 
| Author: Tig Hague
Publisher: Michael Joseph
Category: Book
List Price: £16.99
Buy New: £9.03
You Save: £7.96 (47%)
New (24) Used (3) from £6.49
Avg. Customer Rating:  18 reviews
Sales Rank: 14821
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 400
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.6
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.7
ISBN: 0718153561
EAN: 9780718153564
ASIN: 0718153561
Publication Date: May 1, 2008
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 13 more reviews...
If in doubt, bribe August 27, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Tig Hague's account of his arrest at Sheremetyevo, remand in Moscow, trial and time spent in a Mordovian prison camp is a vivid description of two shockingly different worlds clashing - that of a naive Western European on a business trip and the harshness and brutality of life on the wrong side of the Russian justice system.
Hague was desperately unlucky to be there - he had overlooked the fact that there was a small amount of hashish in his jeans. Then he failed to understand that the corrupt official at the airport wanted a bribe, leading to a search of his clothes, leading to a conviction for drug smuggling and two years of misery and terror.
Zone 22 makes for very compelling reading. The stories are so horrifying that it is impossible to put the book down. He also finishes chapters with a nasty incident or an example of psychological torture by the guards, prompting you to eagerly continue reading to see how he deals with it and what ghastly event will finish the next chapter. Hague also uses very earthy language which makes for a strong effect - quite appropriate to describe the degredation he experienced.
I've spent a long time in Russia, and I was able to empathise with him dealing with Russian bureaucracy, which is designed to be as frustrating as possible. I was also pleased to see him manipulate one of the governors at the end of the book - a character called Zanpolit - indirectly threatening him by claiming the British Embassy were on his case. This really shows up the "authorities" for what they are - corrupt bullyboys.
Hague does mention something very important, which the incredulous reader should bear in mind. The unnecessary brutality, degredation and psychological abuse in the system is due to the poverty and misery of the wretched guards and governors, who are only one rung higher than the convicts. They are desperate to be better than they are, hence the treatment they mete out to the inmates and their lust for Western cigarettes and other luxury items. Another lesson he explains clearly is that it is practically impossible to get out unless you are backed by money. He needed a huge amount of supplies for bribes, brought to him by family and the British Embassy, much of it pilfered by the disgusting guards.
It is this material help from the outside that keeps him going physically, and which also helps him persuade Zanpolit to get him on the parole list. What keeps him going spiritually is hope, constantly dashed by the authorities but fed by his girlfriend who stands by him and even goes to Zone 22 to marry him.
A moving account of an innocent man in a horrible world.
''Did you pack your case yourself, sir?'' August 15, 2008
I bet he wishes that he had now.
The extract taken from 'The Guardian's' review, couldn't sum this book up more.
I found the most ironic part of the book (apart from the vietnamese moaning like a dog, while sleeping, after eating one), was that it should have only been a small chapter in his life. What should have been a small bribe (in the form of a few cigarettes) to the first individual that asked for a bribe, in Russia. Turned out to be half a years production of the 'Marlboro' factory, and a select few pages from the 'Argos' catalogue, being handed to the employees of the Russian prision system, in order to try and get somewhere, but in fact not getting really anywhere. As he found out himself. 100 Marlboro's for 1/4" of a window to be opened. It's just wrong!!!!
Seriously, this book is a brilliant buy, and I'm another one of the 'I read it in days, and couldn't put it down crew'.
On the plus side; I now know that if I ever travel to Russia (and the former parts of it), the most important item I'll carry, is definately 30 cigarettes!!
simply outstanding. July 20, 2008
When Tig Hague describes the prison in the Russian capital and his treatment of the justice system you think it can't get any worse until his arrival at Zone 22. Tig Hague brings the reader on a journey that is outstanding to read and teaches us all how family is so important.This is the modern day "Great Escape" without the tunnels or the bike. Buy it and enjoy it " simply outstanding ".
How does one cope? June 2, 2008
An honest and scary true story of one mans life that turns upside down and spirals out of his control. One silly mistake leads to a challange of self control and survial. An interesting read that evokes sympathy and interests the reader through out. I hope Tig is drinking lemonade from these big lemons he was dealt a few years back.
A fantastic purchase!!
absolutly fantastic May 29, 2008
this book is brilliant, it takes you through the high's and low's of tig in the russian prison system, this book is a definate read and i recomend it to everyone probably the best book iv ever bought.
|
|
|
| |
