About the Book

Imperium is a monumental work published in 1993, describing the author’s travels through the Soviet Union and its republics. The book spans the period from the 1950s to the dissolution of the USSR in 1991.

Structure

The work is divided into three parts corresponding to Kapuściński’s successive journeys:

1. First journey (1950s) — a young reporter discovers the might of the empire
2. Subsequent journeys (1960s–80s) — observations of life in various republics
3. Final journey (1989–1991) — the collapse of the empire

Geography

The author traverses vast distances — from Magadan in the Far East, through the Caucasus and Central Asia, to the European part of Russia.

Themes

• Totalitarianism and its effect on the individual
• The multinational character of the USSR
• Daily life under the communist system
• The Gulag and repression
• The disintegration of the empire

Style

Kapuściński blends reportage with philosophical reflection, creating a multi-layered narrative about one of the most important phenomena of the 20th century.

Polish Editions

See the list of Polish editions of Imperium with ISBN numbers.