Asia: From the Urals to the Pacific by Victoria Burrows offers a visually impressive tour of this incredibly vast and diverse continent. As someone who appreciates both stunning photography and an overview of different cultures, I found the book's regional chapters to be a commendable effort to capture the immense beauty and variety of Asia's landscapes and heritage. The over 180 vivid photographs are undeniably captivating, showcasing everything from bustling cityscapes to serene natural wonders, and providing a good glimpse into places I might never get to experience firsthand. It certainly serves well as a pictorial introduction to the continent.

While the photography is indeed the highlight, and the accompanying text provides helpful context without overshadowing the visuals, I found that at times, the sheer scale of the subject meant that some areas felt less explored. Given the richness of each region, it's easy to imagine how each could fill an entire volume, and while the book attempts to be comprehensive, it naturally has to touch on many areas briefly. It's a beautiful coffee table book and a solid visual journey, but for those seeking deeper dives into specific cultural or historical aspects beyond what stunning imagery can convey, it may leave you wanting more in terms of narrative depth.

This visually stunning book offers a regional exploration of Asia’s diverse cultures, landscapes, and natural wonders, from Ottoman architecture to the Bornean rainforest to the Yangtze River, showcasing iconic landmarks and hidden gems through over 180 photographs. The book is beautiful, informative, and a pleasure to read.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I am fond of Amber Books’ coffee table books so obviously, I tackled Asia with great gusto. I’ve been trying to increase my armchair travelling to Asia in recent years, as it’s a fascinating, very diverse continent, with many countries I know little about, so Asia was a great find!

Asia takes its reader from Turkey and Georgia all the way to Japan and Indonesia. Is it entirely comprehensive? Well, no. Asia is huge and comprises too many countries to be able to visit them all in one coffee table book. Still, I feel this is a good effort, offering magnificent photos as well as historical notes, information about fauna and flora, and socio-economical information about many Asian countries, allowing the reader to form an image of the continent as a whole, as well as an understanding of just how vast and diverse it is.

I especially admired the flora in Yemen, the fauna in Nepal, the many UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the many beautiful palaces in India.

Asia has something for every reader and I would definitely recommend it to readers who want to discover Asia and lovers of coffee table books and/or travel, be it in real life or from the comforts of their home.

Massive thanks to Amber Books and NetGalley for the DRC. All opinions are my own.

Containing over 200 stunning pictures, "Asia" by Victoria Burrows would make a wonderful coffee table book. This work includes memorable and haunting images including modern skyscrapers in Hong Kong, highly remote monasteries, colorful historic churches, ancient petroglyphs, heart warming medieval mountain villages, fantastic architecture, historical treasures such as Petra, and so many other stunning photographs of cultural historical, and religious significance. Several of the pictures of places I have visited evokes strong emotions of nostalgia, and overall, this book provides many exciting ideas for new travel destinations.

I thank Victoria Burrows and Amber Books Ltd for kindly providing an electronic review copy for this work.

This is another fab travel photobook from Amber Books, this time all about the largest continent of all, Asia.
The book is split up into six chapters including an Introduction, Western Asia, Central and Northern Asia, South Asia, East Asia and Southeast Asia.
As to be expected from Amber Books, this was full of beautiful photos and short explanatory texts.
Some of my favourite photos were from Central and Northern Asia and Western Asia, mostly because I’d recently read a travel memoir, Free Ride, about a solo motorcyclist who rode through some of the countries in Central Asia, It was really great to see some of the places she’d travelled through.
Definitely recommended if you’re interested in Asia or you’re just a keen armchair traveller!

Thank you Amber Books Ltd and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in return of my honest review.

Victoria Burrows has provided the reader a spectacular armchair journey throughout Asia.

Showcasing the absolute beauty and diversity both geographically, culturally and architecturally this absolutely stunning book is the only coffee table book you ever need.

The photography is incredible and truly captures the essence of many of the beautiful places I have been lucky enough to explore in this beautiful continent.

There are places captured that many of us may never visit so seeing their beauty in the pages was so appreciated.

I loved reading the accompanying information pieces with the photographs.

Some of my favourite places / photographs captured were the google tree in Yemen, Saint Stepanos Monastery in Iran, Charon Canyon, Kazakhstan, Tian Shan Mountains, Kyrgyzstan, Jaipur, India, Tsagaan Suvarga, Mongolia, and of course the place that holds a very dear place in my heart, Bagan, Myanmar.

Thank you so very much for the opportunity to read this beautiful collation.
I absolutely recommend this as a gift to yourself and anyone else to appreciates the beauty of our diverse world.

This is a beautiful book! The photos are absolutely stunning! This was really fascinating and a book I would recommend to anyone! Special Thank You to Victoria Burrows , Amber Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

The photos here are so gorgeous that I found myself moving to the next section and then feeling compelled to go right back and enjoy particular pictures for longer. It also felt to me that I wasn't looking at the perspectives I'm used to -- even when I was familiar with a place, there were surprises for me.
I probably won't get to visit any of these places but I highly recommend this as a gift or as a coffee table book.

This coffee table book contains photos from across the continent of Asia. The photos showcase the huge variety of places in Asia from deserts to skyscrapers to jungle. There are many sites which evoke the "ooh, that'd be nice to see".

I own to be being thrown that the first section "Western Asia" includes photos of Israel, Turkey and other countries that I would call the Middle East. If the book had focused on the region of Asia rather than the continent, there would have been space for photos from all the countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Eastern Russia and Taiwan are not included. Other countries would also have received more photos. However, trying to produce a compilation like this is not easy given space constraints.

I received an advance reader copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Western Asia

Visually stunning. While I unfortunately will never get to see most of these places due to turmoil and whatnot, I am 100% adding Georgia to my travel bucket list. The architecture is beautiful. The food, incredible.

Central and Northern Asia

I need to go to all of the -stan countries. The mosques are stunning, as is the incredible landscape.

South Asia

Dying to go to the Taj Mahal. And everything else visually stunning in the area.

East Asia

I've been to Tokyo. I want to explore other parts of Japan. I need to go to China. I want to get my color analysis done in South Korea.

This is unfortunately the region people think about when they think Asia, and while East Asia is fantastic, there is more to Asia than just that.

Southeast Asia

My ancestral home. Got sick and hated it the first time I went. Went to Vietnam for the first time last year and loved it. 10/10 would go back. Re-did Thailand and was obsessed. Adding basically ever other SEA country to my list. It's hot af, but it's home, you know?

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Amber Books

Stunning photographs from across the continent of Asia. Beautiful contrasts, colors and compositions.

Why I started this book: Requested the ARC because of the cover photo alone.

Why I finished it: 226 pages of beautiful photographs... and yet I can't give more than 3 stars to a book about Asia that only has 2 photos of South Korea and no photos of Russia. This collection starts with Western Asia - Armenia, continues on to the Middle East but excludes countries as it continues East. If was clear that it was "my travels" or some explanation of why each country was chosen, I would have happily given this more stars.

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.