Quick Summary: A pictorial guide and geographical experience

My Review: Asia: From the Urals to the Pacific by Victoria Burrows is categorized under "Arts & Photography | History | Travel." It was released on 5/14/25.

About the Book: "Divided into five chapters by region, Asia is a sumptuous introduction to this most vibrant of continents. Explore the 12th century Hindu complex at Angkor Wat; be amazed at the beauty of Ha Long Bay, Vietnam; learn about the Great Wall of China, the world’s longest and oldest fortification dating back to the seventh century BC; and gaze upon the iconic Mt Fuji, one of Japan’s three holy mountains and the highest in the country. With over 180 vivid photographs of Asia, this book offers a pictorial exploration of the culture, flora and fauna of this hugely diverse continent."

In My Own Words: A beautiful look at the artistry of a continent, a culture, a people, and a lifestyle.

Areas Featured:

Western Asia
Central and Northern Asia
South Asia
East Asia
Southeast Asia

My Final Say: Asia is such a vast and majestic continent. Hidden in plain sight are a tapestry of colors, textures, and tones. There is so much to learn about and to experience. This book not only opens the doors to wondrous locations, but it also shines a light on breathtaking places, from mountaintops to rice fields.

I loved exploring the land through the eyes of a lens. Walking through history and seeing how the richness of life was both created and captured for all time was remarkable. While I may never get to visit a number of the places featured in this book, I am grateful to have been granted such a memorable glimpse.

Other: This would make a fantastic gift. It would also be an excellent coffee table book.

Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status/Level: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Amber Books Ltd | Amber Books), and to NetGalley. Thank you so very much for granting access to a digital ARC of this work in exchange for an honest critique. The words I have voluntarily shared are my own. I am grateful for the opportunity.

A visual and narrative journey across one of the most diverse and captivating continents on Earth. The book weaves together cultural, historical, and geological perspectives, offering readers a panoramic view of Asia’s vast and varied landscapes.

Western Asia—including Iran, Israel, Turkey, and the Arab countries— Each of these nations is rich in history and heritage, and it’s easy to imagine how each could fill an entire book on its own.

In Central and Northern Asia—Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan—I was particularly struck by the geological beauty.

South Asia brings the vibrant cultures of India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka into focus.

East Asia—China, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, and Mongolia—shines through into both the hustle of the cities and the quiet majesty of rural landscapes.

Southeast Asia—Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Malaysia— photographs of nature, wildlife, and serene coastlines are some of the most stunning in the book.

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler, a geography enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates extraordinary photography, culture, or like me, traveling through books, this is a great read for you.

Thank you Amber Books via NetGalley for an advance digital copy. I have given my honest review.

*Asia: From the Urals to the Pacific* by Victoria Burrows is a stunning visual journey through one of the most diverse and fascinating regions of the world. I would confidently give this book 5 out of 5 stars. The photographs are captivating and span a broad range of landscapes, cultures, and scenes from daily life across Asia. Having traveled to several of the places featured, I was especially impressed by how accurately and beautifully they were captured. For the places I haven't yet visited, the vivid imagery and thoughtful presentation made me want to book a flight right away.

The accompanying text provides helpful context for each image and region. It is clear, informative, and enhances the experience without overshadowing the visuals. The balance between photography and narrative is well executed, allowing readers to both appreciate the artistry and learn something new. I received an advanced reader copy from NetGalley and Amber Books Ltd., and I’m truly glad I had the chance to experience this exceptional book.

I was loving this book. The photos are stunning and the caption are great. I was ready to buy it just for myself. To have a thumb through when I need to be reminded of the beauty of our world, both natural and man-made. But there was a country that was skipped. A country that was named by colonizers as "beautiful island" and was entirely left out of this book. Taiwan.

Now, I will admit to having extreme bias, as I lived in Taiwan for over three years. But it is seriously one of the most beautiful places in the world. It deserved to be featured in a book of Asia! China may claim Taiwan but it is an independent democracy and one of my favorite places in the world.

If we overlook the glaring omission of Taiwan, this is a great book but I cannot overlook that.

Thank you to Net Galley and Amber Books Ltd for the ARC. All opinions are my own.