> Skip to content

Article  •  16 June 2016

 

Enter the Red Wake

Join Kurt Johnson on his travels through the former Eastern Bloc.

Spurred on by an obsession with the old Red World, in his hybrid of history, travelogue and journalism, The Red Wake, Kurt Johnson travels to the far reaches of the former USSR. From frozen corners of Kyrgyzstan to the ex-KGB headquarters in Moscow; from a rocket launch on the Kazakh Steppe to an unrecognised gangster state in Moldova; from the irradiated ruins of Chernobyl to a gulag in Siberia – Johnson traces how the great political experiment of the 20th Century still weighs heavily on our world today.

Via this interactive map, you can schlep around with Johnson as he takes in the sights and mingles with the locals.    

Feature Title

More features

See all
Article
Best crime books to gift this Christmas: 6 unforgettable reads

Discover the best crime books to gift this Christmas. From chilling thrillers to clever mysteries, these six page-turners will keep readers hooked.

Article
Eat Wild giveaway

As summer arrives, so does the joy of good food, great company, and time outdoors. To help you make the most of it, we’re giving away Eat Wild by Sophie Merkens (RRP $55) and an Ironclad 28cm Olive Leaf Satin Enamel Legacy Pan (RRP $250).

Article
The 14 most anticipated YA books of 2026

Check out the most anticipated YA books hitting shelves in 2026.

Article
A useful guide to the Jack Reacher books

Everything you need to know about the Jack Reacher books. Learn about Lee and Andrew Child, figure out which order to read them and quiz your Reacher knowledge.

Article
21 Christmas romance books to add to your TBR

In the mood for some romance this holiday season? Reach for one (or more) of these 21 Christmas romance books.

Article
Preparing for your kitten

Preparation is key before bringing your kitten home. I recommend doing this preparation at least a couple of weeks before you get your kitten.

Article
QUIZ: What kind of mullet are you?

Take this quiz to find out what type of mullet you are, in honour of Nick Sharratt’s book, Mullets.

Article
Booker Prize shortlist 2025

The shortlist for the 2025 Booker Prize has been announced, with four Penguin Random House titles named this year.

Article
Your guide to Dan Brown’s Robert Langdon series

Here’s what you need to know about Dan Brown’s Robert Langdon series – including which order to read the books!

Article
Poison or pasta sauce? A guide to New Zealand's edible weeds

Becky, our Penguin NZ Director, shares 5 ways to use 5 edible weeds she found in her garden with the help of Andrew Crowe's Edible Weeds Handbook!

Article
10 black cat boyfriends from must-read books

It’s official: the internet has dubbed Conrad Fisher a ‘black cat boyfriend’. Here are a few other black cat book boyfriends to keep you swooning.

Article
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori catalogue 2025

Kōrerotia te reo this Māori Language Week 2025 with our selection of Māori Language books.

Looking for more articles?

See all articles