What is a short-summary of Part I of the book, Imperium?

Part I, First Encounters (1939-1967) describes Kapuscinski's first three encounters with the Soviet regime. Chapter 1, 'Pinsk '39', takes place in Kapuscinski's childhood in his hometown of Pinsk in what is now Belarus. Kapuscinski and his family were on the run from the Soviet government as were many of his fellow townspeople. Chapter 2, 'The Trans-Siberian' describes a trip Kapuscinski took across Russia on the Trans-Siberian railroad. Chapter 3, 'The South' describes Kapuscinski's extended journey across the southern Soviet republics, including Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.