This work investigates the ecological diversity and conservation challenges of the Soviet Union through the lens of a cross-country expedition. Gerald Durrell, a renowned naturalist and conservationist, and his wife Lee Durrell, document their observations across diverse Soviet landscapes. The book serves as a companion to their television series, utilizing a blend of travelogue and biological survey to present the flora and fauna of the region to a general audience.

The text functions as an accessible, observational record of a specific historical period in Soviet environmental history. Its focus on natural history and the authors' personal experiences provides a grounded, descriptive account of the regions visited during their production.