Mankind's Great Divides

Borders. Bridges. Barbed wire.

George Mitchell details his visits to some of the world’s most disputed and undefined places. He explores current and historical conflicts and the reverberations which are manifest in the walls and fences; the huge physical divides that are only growing taller with the increasing mental divides of the people on either side.

From Israel to Kosovo to Ireland, Mitchell interviews people from both sides of these great divides, exploring the turbulent dynamics of ‘us’ and ‘them’ relationships.

Broaching such topics as politics, nationalism, religion and immigration, the frustrating realisation throughout is that, ‘if you take away flags and religious symbols, you are left with one thing: people. Just ordinary people.’ (p77)

From being interrogated to tap dancing at a border crossing, Mitchell offers his own experiences of these divides along with a collection of his own eye-opening photographs. 

George R. Mitchell

After many years working as a tap dance teacher and choreographer, George Mitchell sold his business in 2008 and committed himself to full time exploring and writing. To date he has travelled extensively in around 80 countries.

George writes regular columns for the Herald from troublespots around the world. He doesn’t do tourism: he travels what he calls ‘off grid’, getting under the skin of a country, its culture and its people. In his opinion, the most annoyingly wonderful, frustrating and fascinating country to be in is Russia.