Friendly Steppes: A Silk Road Journey

by Nick Rowan

This is the chronicle of an extraordinary adventure that led Nick Rowan to some of the world's most incredible and hidden places. Intertwined with the magic of 2,000 years of Silk Road history, he recounts his experiences coupled with a remarkable realisation of just what an impact this trade route has had on our society as we know it today. Containing colourful stories, beautiful photography and vivid characters, and wrapped in the local myths and legends told by the people Nick met and who live along the route, this is both a travelogue and an education of a part of the world that has remained hidden for hundreds of years. Friendly A Silk Road Journey reveals just how rich the region was both culturally and economically and uncovers countless new friends as Nick travels from Venice through Eastern Europe, Iran, the ancient and modern Central Asia of places like Samarkand, Bishkek and Turkmenbashi, and on to China, along the Silk Roads of today. Containing colorful stories and characters, wrapped in the local myths and legends told by the people who live along the route today, this is both an entertaining travelogue and inspiring introduction to a part of the world that has largely remained hidden from Western eyes for hundreds of years but is on the verge of retaking its central role on the international stage. Travelling through the rapidly expanding cities of China and the ancient cities of Central Asia and Iran, Friendly Steppes will have great appeal to those who want to travel to the Silk Road countries and understand the region's heart rather than simply visit its religious and historical relics as tourists. It is essential reading for those interested in discovering more of the region and its remarkable people before the world finally realizes what it potentially has to offer and changes it for better, or for worse.

Genres: Travel

346 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 24, 2012

About the author

Nick Rowan is editor-in-chief of the UK published magazine, Open Central Asia, and author of “Friendly Steppes: A Silk Road Journey” that recounts his travel adventures along the Silk Road, Nick Rowan has an insatiable appetite for all things to do with the Silk Road. An Oxford University graduate, recently back from five years living in Moscow, Nick spends much of his spare time exploring Central Asia, having travelled to all the countries on numerous occasions, on the look-out for new experiences and people to meet. His new book, "The Silk Road Revisited", seeks to capture the powerful influence that the history of the Silk Road has left on the countries as you find them today. It follows the success of "Friendly Steppes: A Silk Road Journey", that recalls his first encounters as a traveller of the Silk Road from East to West.

His favourite evenings are those spent on the plains of Central Asia sitting in the warmth of a homely yurt, laughing and joking with its owners over a good bowl of laghman accompanied by freshly baked lepioshka.

Reviews

[Bianca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book. There is so much in here to support the belief of how gracious in their hospitality, the peoples of the steppe are: the pretension of surviving as an itinerant when walking the ancient trade routes is far from eccentric. Furthermore, the recollections of Mr Rowan show that with most rural folk, the history of the ancient roads is kept alive by the people. I’d suggest: ‘The elders teach the children about those old ways.’

The Silk Road has been a magnet for me for many years. This has strengthened my desire to walk these roads.

[Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely read about a lovely part of the world.

I enjoyed this.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I was a little braver and more inclined to suffer a little discomfort, I would have packed a bag and been off to 'The Steppes' last week.

I'm in awe of the peoples, their culture, their history and their way of life, Mr Rowan talks of.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read: I felt at times as if I was there. This has opened my eyes to what is a fascinating subject.

[Kanwal Jit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

As a traveller as also an avid reader of books on travel,I feel it is an excellent read,particularly on the subject of Silk road.

[Bridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rosy read. We are exposed to the rosy side of things; I'm sure that dodgy-dealings are rife along the way and your average Joe will need to keep there wits about them. However...

this does paint a wonderful picture of the history, the culture and the beliefs. There are wonderful, kind, compassionate people everywhere ('the real people' Ben Carlyle labels them) and I accept the peoples in these regions have a rich history of compassion. Very enjoyable and informative.

[Angkhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this an enjoyable read. Lots of interesting facts and lots to learn of the people.