Vitaliev visited each of the smallest states in Europe: Andorra, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Mount Athos, San Marino, and Seborga. I was looking forward to reading about places that have few travelogues written and at first, his essays were entertaining. However, they quickly became irksome because of the less than flattering comments about each country. Offering them in a jocular tone of voice doesn't make them any more acceptable. Vitaliev repeatedly compared these tiny states with Ukraine, his country of origin. Frequent protestations that he was not a communist became tiresome. Little is the Light just proved that he is not only hard to please, but a poor travel companion. ( )