Shadow of the Silk Road Audiobook (Unabridged)

" It takes a lot for me to stop reading a book -- my compulsion to get to the end, to give the author the benefit of the doubt, is often too strong to let me walk away early. However, I only got through the first two chapters of this book before deciding to put it down. Thubron's understanding of Buddhism was so facile that it made his remarks about the Chinese and Tibetan people deeply suspect to me. And as he was about to leave China on his journey West retracing the paths of the Silk Road, I realized that he was about to enter a territory that was primarily Muslim -- and my knowledge of Islam is so shallow that I knew that I would not be able to discern where he was getting it wrong in this portion of the journey. Since my trust in him was so thoroughly crushed by his handling of the Buddhism in the first two chapters, I knew that I couldn't, in good faith, continue. Thubron moves through that world with a deep unexamined white and Western privilege. It was really unfortunate, because I was very excited to read this recounting. It is a life-long dream of mine to walk the path of the Silk Road (from West to East, though, the way my ancestors may have) from beginning to end, and I was hoping for more from this text. I suppose the very fact that Thubron was going about it opposite to my own dream should have been the first red flag. Very disappointing. "

" Enjoyed learning some ancient history while traveling the silk road with Mr. Thubron. Margaret "

" I had to put aside a good bit of time to read this because I felt the need to do some research during. Very good book. "

" COLIN THUBRON REALLY CHASES DOWN SOME INTERESTING HISTORY IN FAR OFF PLACES. HE PROVIDES INTERESTING COMMENTARY ON UNUSUAL PLACES AND DETAILS NOT KNOWN BUT OF INTEREST "

" Wonderful book, very well written, I learned much I didn't know about the history of the areas covered. "

" This was the first book I read about the Silk Road, the ancient trade route between China and the West. I found the whole subject absolutely fascinating and Colin was the perfect guide through this incredibly rich and complex subject. He has a real passion for everyday people, how they live their lives and how they change from place to place. An excellent read, I thoroughly recommend it. "

" Looking for a book which brings together the dynasty's of China with the Khan's of Mongolia? Can't quite understand the histories of Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, etc...... When was the properties of silk brought to the attention of the western world! ColinThubron traveled the road "less traveled". "

" Interesting travel read; good image of the territory but it reads like he's really trying hard to write the most florid prose in history...so it ruins the history. "

" It is taking me years to read this book (I must have started some time in 2005-2006). It's very well written, but a bit heavy going. "

" This a great travel book by a fantastic writer. This is the fourth book by Thubron that I've read. It's history, religion, architecture, sociology, politics and people. Go get a copy and read it. Then read his other books. "

" Absolutely riveting! I learned so much history and culture from this literate, well-written travelogue "

" a rambling account of the author's journey along the route of the silk road. He chronicles people he met along the way and their views on anything from current politics to their latest culinary delight. A little too disjointed for me to really get into this book. "

" can't finish it. may pick it up again when I'm got the patience to deal with his self-absorbed narative styles... "

" Some trips are worth taking just for the prose of their guides. Not much silk here, just sharp-edged lyricism, full of observations about all kinds of believers and skeptics. "

" It took me awhile to bond with this book - I almost gave up at one point, but I'm glad that I didn't. "

" If you like lots of history, architecture and archaeology this traveloge by a British travel writer will cure you for awhile. "

" So many interesting places, so much history without leaving your backyard "

" I'm afraid I had to give up at page 180. Not saying it's not a good book but probably not right for me at the moment. It was recommended so I thought I'd like it but it just didn't interest me. "

" I found this one a little hard to read ... I didn't think that it was that cohesive. It did have some interesting interviews thought. "

" I absolutely adore Thubron's prose and how he achieved this journey in his autumn years. "

" This was a harder read than I expected. I'm just not thrilled with the prose of the "world's greatest living travel writer" although I did enjoy the stories of the people he encountered. "