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Full Moon over Noah's Ark: An Odyssey to Mount Ararat and Beyond
Acclaimed travel writer Rick Antonson sets his adventurous compass on Mount Ararat, exploring the region’s long history, religious mysteries, and complex politics.Mount Ararat is the most fabled mountain in the world. For millennia this massif in eastern Turkey has been rumored as the resting place of Noah’s Ark following the Great Flood. But it also plays a significant role in the longstanding conflict between Turkey and Armenia.Author Rick Antonson joined a five-member expedition to the mountain’s nearly 17,000-foot summit, trekking alongside a contingent of Armenians, for whom Mount Ararat is the stolen symbol of their country. Antonson weaves vivid historical anecdote with unexpected travel vignettes, whether tracing earlier mountaineering attempts on the peak, recounting the genocide of Armenians and its unresolved debate, or depicting the Kurds’ ambitions for their own nation’s borders, which some say should include Mount Ararat.What unfolds in Full Moon Over Noah’s Ark is one man’s odyssey, a tale told through many stories. Starting with the flooding of the Black Sea in 5600 BCE, through to the Epic of Gilgamesh and the contrasting narratives of the Great Flood known to followers of the Judaic, Christian and Islamic religions, Full Moon Over Noah’s Ark takes readers along with Antonson through the shadows and broad landscapes of Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Armenia, shedding light on a troubled but fascinating area of the world.Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in history--books about World War II, the Third Reich, Hitler and his henchmen, the JFK assassination, conspiracies, the American Civil War, the American Revolution, gladiators, Vikings, ancient Rome, medieval times, the old West, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.
408 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 12, 2016
About the author
Rick Antonson
9 books17 followersRick Antonson's latest book is Slumach's Gold: In Search of a Legend - and a Curse (Heritage House Publishers, 2024). Rick is author of 5 acclaimed travel books including Train Beyond the Mountains: Journeys on the Rocky Mountaineer (Greystone, 2023) and Route 66 Still Kicks: Driving America's Main Street which The New York Times called "One of the best books of the bunch" in their Christmas travel book roundup, and To Timbuktu for a Haircut: A Journey Through West Africa (2013) which the Chicago Tribune noted as a "travel classic." Full Moon Over Noah's Ark: An Odyssey to Mount Ararat, also, Walking With Ghosts in Papua New Guinea: Crossing the Kokoda Trail in the Last Wild Place on Earth (Skyhorse, NY). Rick is the former CEO of Tourism Vancouver, an Ambassador for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, chair of Destination Marketing Association International (based in Washington, DC), former deputy chair of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (based in Bangkok, Thailand), and president of Pacific Coast Public Television, Antonson now enjoys a career as a full time author,
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
October 23, 2016
Review title: Head east on the Silk Road, hang a left
Just to the north of the fabled Silk Road that linked Europe, Africa, and Asia in trade, religion, culture, language, and war, stands Ararat, a range of mountains that carry their own weight of history. It is here that the Bible and other ancient sources say that the world was repopulated after God swept the world clean. It is here that the evil of genocide burst forth in its 20th century form as the newly empowered country of Turkey systematically murdered and displaced over a million Armenians from disputed territory in the wake of the first World War. And it is here the modern national borders of Iraq, Iran, Turkey, and Armenia today meet across ethnic and religious boundaries thousands of years old. Ethnic Kurds, of all religions and spread across all these nations, hope for their own national home some day. Armenians, confined to a small landlocked country today, hope for expanded borders including the return of the Mount Ararat holy site and access to the Black Sea. And Christians and others who believe in the historicity of the ancient flood accounts, hope to find physical, geological, or archeological evidence on that mountain to back their faith.
For all these reasons, professional traveler Rick Antonson fulfilled a childhood ambition by visiting this foreboding and volatile region in 2013 and "summitting" Mount Ararat. While his book is partly an adventure story about the climb to the 16,000-plus summit, that event is complete just halfway through the book, with plenty of history,, culture, and further travel adventures to come. Crossing into and out of northern Iraq proved to be both a rewarding and harrowing experience, and makes for page-turning reading.
Like the authors of the decade or so earlier journey In the Footsteps of Marco Polo that I recently read, Antonson found the people and cultures in this melting pot both complex but also open and friendly. This is a common thread in travel accounts to "non Western" locations and perhaps reflects a puncturing of an unconscious expectation of cultural superiority. Perhaps our homogenized, franchised, brand-name existence has actually placed us below other cultures, to which in comparison ours seems simple, closed, and unfriendly.
Early in the book, I found Antonson's writing voice kind of grating and arrogant, but as the book goes along either some of those edges were knocked off during his adventures, or I just came to like him more as I knew him better. While initially skeptical of the historical veracity of the flood accounts, his research, travels and encounters with believers for several different reasons opened his mind to consider various theories and potential sites for that famous landing. While he never saw "Noah's Ark", and most likely no one ever will, his writing about it is a good summary of the current state of geological, archeological, and historical research.
The book is well illustrated, although the black and white photos are often small and dark; a separate section of color photography on higher quality glossy paper would have been nice. The maps are useful, but scattered throughout with no table of maps to find them and refer back to them later (keep a second bookmark for that). And the time line of key historical events in the back is useful.
This was a fun and thought provoking journey to a part of the world I will probably never see first hand. So Antonson will be my worthy eyes and feet there as I think about and watch that region from a distance.
Just to the north of the fabled Silk Road that linked Europe, Africa, and Asia in trade, religion, culture, language, and war, stands Ararat, a range of mountains that carry their own weight of history. It is here that the Bible and other ancient sources say that the world was repopulated after God swept the world clean. It is here that the evil of genocide burst forth in its 20th century form as the newly empowered country of Turkey systematically murdered and displaced over a million Armenians from disputed territory in the wake of the first World War. And it is here the modern national borders of Iraq, Iran, Turkey, and Armenia today meet across ethnic and religious boundaries thousands of years old. Ethnic Kurds, of all religions and spread across all these nations, hope for their own national home some day. Armenians, confined to a small landlocked country today, hope for expanded borders including the return of the Mount Ararat holy site and access to the Black Sea. And Christians and others who believe in the historicity of the ancient flood accounts, hope to find physical, geological, or archeological evidence on that mountain to back their faith.
For all these reasons, professional traveler Rick Antonson fulfilled a childhood ambition by visiting this foreboding and volatile region in 2013 and "summitting" Mount Ararat. While his book is partly an adventure story about the climb to the 16,000-plus summit, that event is complete just halfway through the book, with plenty of history,, culture, and further travel adventures to come. Crossing into and out of northern Iraq proved to be both a rewarding and harrowing experience, and makes for page-turning reading.
Like the authors of the decade or so earlier journey In the Footsteps of Marco Polo that I recently read, Antonson found the people and cultures in this melting pot both complex but also open and friendly. This is a common thread in travel accounts to "non Western" locations and perhaps reflects a puncturing of an unconscious expectation of cultural superiority. Perhaps our homogenized, franchised, brand-name existence has actually placed us below other cultures, to which in comparison ours seems simple, closed, and unfriendly.
Early in the book, I found Antonson's writing voice kind of grating and arrogant, but as the book goes along either some of those edges were knocked off during his adventures, or I just came to like him more as I knew him better. While initially skeptical of the historical veracity of the flood accounts, his research, travels and encounters with believers for several different reasons opened his mind to consider various theories and potential sites for that famous landing. While he never saw "Noah's Ark", and most likely no one ever will, his writing about it is a good summary of the current state of geological, archeological, and historical research.
The book is well illustrated, although the black and white photos are often small and dark; a separate section of color photography on higher quality glossy paper would have been nice. The maps are useful, but scattered throughout with no table of maps to find them and refer back to them later (keep a second bookmark for that). And the time line of key historical events in the back is useful.
This was a fun and thought provoking journey to a part of the world I will probably never see first hand. So Antonson will be my worthy eyes and feet there as I think about and watch that region from a distance.
August 27, 2022
As a child, Rick was fascinated by a book called _The Forbidden Mountain_ that recounted a 1952 climb of Mt Ararat. As an adult, an opportunity came up for him to be part of a group attempting a climb. He made that the first part of a trip in the area which then culminated with a stop in London to visit the British Museum where a number of records of searches for Noah's Ark are housed.
This started slow for me as he spent a bunch of time on background and trip preparation. Once he started traveling, I enjoyed it a bit more. Traveling alone in countries where you don't know the language isn't for me so I'll sit back and read of others doing just that.
This started slow for me as he spent a bunch of time on background and trip preparation. Once he started traveling, I enjoyed it a bit more. Traveling alone in countries where you don't know the language isn't for me so I'll sit back and read of others doing just that.
March 19, 2019
There is a lot to like about this book. The author is to be admired for his quest to climb Mount Ararat and travel “off the beaten path.” The research and background about the quest for an ark on the mountain, the web of nations that lay claim to this region, and the histories of ancient flood stories broadened my understanding of these topics, but the facts could have been better integrated with his narrative. His different trips to Iraq and elsewhere seemed too separate to really make this a tight narrative however, as he moved on from him climbing Ararat to other travels in the region. Antonson has some great descriptions that made it easy to follow along on his hike especially and the book is a great introduction to a region of the world few of us may travel to, even as the author pushes his own limits and judgement of his travels.
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June 27, 2025This book has 2 parts: the first is a straightforward mountaineering tale of an expedition to the summit of Mt. Ararat, long held to be the apocryphal landing site of Noah's Ark. This part is nice in practical terms too, because the author goes into detail of the travel guide he hired, the equipment such as crampons and ice axes that they needed, and the stages and weather conditions of the journey. The second part follows after the author successfully conquers the summit and goes to visit Iraqi Kurdistan in Northern Iraq, in the city of Erbil. This part is educational too in showing the boundless traditional hospitality, history and aspirations of the Kurdish people, which are centered on the desire to have their own UN-recognized state.
September 11, 2026
An enjoyable account of Rick's attempt to summit mt Ararat and visit the surrounding areas illuminating various cultural perspectives on the flood story.
It's quite a trip with visits to Erbil in north Iraq, Tehran in Iran and Armenia as well as Turkey where Ararat is situated. Each of these places has it's own historical associations with Ararat and a variation on the flood story.
Rock does a good job bringing this info together and merging it with his own efforts to travel the area.
I was ok with the audiobook reader but his monotone delivery reminded me of the voice acting in Sega's legendary Shenmue.
It's quite a trip with visits to Erbil in north Iraq, Tehran in Iran and Armenia as well as Turkey where Ararat is situated. Each of these places has it's own historical associations with Ararat and a variation on the flood story.
Rock does a good job bringing this info together and merging it with his own efforts to travel the area.
I was ok with the audiobook reader but his monotone delivery reminded me of the voice acting in Sega's legendary Shenmue.
April 22, 2020
Climbing Mount Ararat has its ups and downs. I enjoyed the book, even though it wasn't excellent. He did a nice job on historical research, at least I think he did since I was enlightened with chaotic bursts of ancient lore - sometimes repeatedly so. He stayed at local people's homes - they took him in like a long lost relative - they helped him in different ways. Interesting stories, if a bit awkward for the author. I would have liked a longer piece on Armenia due to my 98% DNA makeup in that ethnic, although the Armenian character he came upon that provided the "Full" moon over Noah's Ark picture was interesting if not gonzo parabolic (bizarre couldn't fully describe the man).
Theme number one was climbing the mountain. Harrowing but descriptively sparse.
Theme number two would be his interactions with the locals. People are interesting and quirky and he did a fairly good job of showing their spirit. I like the way he dignified the humble.
The theories on where the ark or if there was indeed an ark or several arks was theme number three. My own theory, sadly for Ark enthusiasts, is that the stories are fathers telling their children how their ancestors survived the flood. And since the flood was so total, the story tellers had to account for all the questions children had. "If the flood covered the whole earth - how do we now have animals on it?" So the story tellers had to come up with something. I suppose several families could have seen the water level rising and were fast enough to gather their sheep and chickens (did they have chickens?) into the biggest boats they had.
Overall, I would recommend reading this adventure history monologue. Keeping in mind that it wasn't a totally full moon, and there is probably no Ark on Mount Ararat.
Theme number one was climbing the mountain. Harrowing but descriptively sparse.
Theme number two would be his interactions with the locals. People are interesting and quirky and he did a fairly good job of showing their spirit. I like the way he dignified the humble.
The theories on where the ark or if there was indeed an ark or several arks was theme number three. My own theory, sadly for Ark enthusiasts, is that the stories are fathers telling their children how their ancestors survived the flood. And since the flood was so total, the story tellers had to account for all the questions children had. "If the flood covered the whole earth - how do we now have animals on it?" So the story tellers had to come up with something. I suppose several families could have seen the water level rising and were fast enough to gather their sheep and chickens (did they have chickens?) into the biggest boats they had.
Overall, I would recommend reading this adventure history monologue. Keeping in mind that it wasn't a totally full moon, and there is probably no Ark on Mount Ararat.
May 19, 2016
I wanted to read this book because I lived in Turkey in the early 80's. I remember hearing that Mt Ararat was in eastern Turkey but, if the Turkish government approved, only men were allowed to climb it. No women allowed. Now I understand. It's not just a trek or hike, but involves mountaineering.
As a child the author had read about an explorer climbing Mt Ararat looking for Noah's Ark. Years later when cleaning his attic, he came across the book again and decided it was something he wanted to do as well. After a lot of research and reading, he traveled to Turkey and climbed to the summit of Mt Ararat. He then crossed into Erbil, Iraq for a couple of days and then crossed the border to Tehran, Iran. A couple years later he traveled to Armenia.
I loved reading about his travels. Often, it's not the destination that "makes" a trip but the journey and the friends you make along the way. This was the case for the author. Ferry is late. Taxi cabs drop him off at the wrong location. Border guards not knowing where Canada is (the home of the author). Learning traditional Iranian dances on the Tehran bound train. Spending time with the mountain guides family in the middle of nowhere. These were all parts of his trip.
I found interesting the history, geography, politics, and legends of Noah's Ark. Did he see Noah's Ark? No, but he did discussed several theories where the boat could have landed/crashed. He compares stories from the Torah with the Bible and the Quran and even the Cyrus Cylinder which predates the religious stories. It was quite interesting.
Now I want to go exploring.
As a child the author had read about an explorer climbing Mt Ararat looking for Noah's Ark. Years later when cleaning his attic, he came across the book again and decided it was something he wanted to do as well. After a lot of research and reading, he traveled to Turkey and climbed to the summit of Mt Ararat. He then crossed into Erbil, Iraq for a couple of days and then crossed the border to Tehran, Iran. A couple years later he traveled to Armenia.
I loved reading about his travels. Often, it's not the destination that "makes" a trip but the journey and the friends you make along the way. This was the case for the author. Ferry is late. Taxi cabs drop him off at the wrong location. Border guards not knowing where Canada is (the home of the author). Learning traditional Iranian dances on the Tehran bound train. Spending time with the mountain guides family in the middle of nowhere. These were all parts of his trip.
I found interesting the history, geography, politics, and legends of Noah's Ark. Did he see Noah's Ark? No, but he did discussed several theories where the boat could have landed/crashed. He compares stories from the Torah with the Bible and the Quran and even the Cyrus Cylinder which predates the religious stories. It was quite interesting.
Now I want to go exploring.
April 24, 2018
Throughout reading this book I kept thinking of a quote from Miss Congeniality, "A brief shinning moment and then that mouth!"
I received a free copy in this in exchange for a review. In the giveaway it was promoted as a memoir/ travel log/ history story and it definitely is a mishmash with Mount Ararat as a background. The actual climb barely covers anything in the book and is so sparse in detail it was almost like, why bother? Most of the book is about Antonson's travels and the people he meets before and after the climb. Some of it was quite interesting as he learns about the different cultures from this ancient land but then... Hence the above quote. The author is his own worst enemy. I'll just leave it at, bless your heart.
The description I had for the giveaway was different from the description with the book posting. In some ways, I felt a bit misled. This isn't really a book about mountain climbing; you will not learn the geography, flora or fauna of Ararat; and if you take Noah's Ark seriously, this is not a viable reference. There are photos (something I was personally looking forward to) but thy are black & white, and grainy. If you want to learn a bit about the different people of the middle east or about how hard it is to travel there, enjoy the book.
I received a free copy in this in exchange for a review. In the giveaway it was promoted as a memoir/ travel log/ history story and it definitely is a mishmash with Mount Ararat as a background. The actual climb barely covers anything in the book and is so sparse in detail it was almost like, why bother? Most of the book is about Antonson's travels and the people he meets before and after the climb. Some of it was quite interesting as he learns about the different cultures from this ancient land but then... Hence the above quote. The author is his own worst enemy. I'll just leave it at, bless your heart.
The description I had for the giveaway was different from the description with the book posting. In some ways, I felt a bit misled. This isn't really a book about mountain climbing; you will not learn the geography, flora or fauna of Ararat; and if you take Noah's Ark seriously, this is not a viable reference. There are photos (something I was personally looking forward to) but thy are black & white, and grainy. If you want to learn a bit about the different people of the middle east or about how hard it is to travel there, enjoy the book.
December 1, 2021
There are not too many places on the planet I would not be game to visit right now, but Rick Antonson has picked a few of them. Full Moon Over Noah's Ark is the account of his visit to the eastern edge of Turkey (where he climbed Mt. Ararat), across the border into Kurdish Iraq, and then via train to Tehran, Iran. These areas are so politically tenuous with such unpredictable transportation; I just can't imagine setting out on the journey he took, especially with limited language skills and almost no pre-arranged reservations, and entirely on his own. He was fortunate to meet a variety of kind and welcoming locals who helped him in potentially messy situations, and I enjoyed experiencing a bit of their culture through this book. It makes for interesting reading, but I would never want to retrace Antonson's steps (WAY too stressful).
A major side-theme of this travelogue is the legend surrounding Noah's Ark coming to rest atop Mt. Ararat. Antonson does a good job explaining the mythology, scholarship, and promotion of different theories as to the ark's existence and survival. Crazy stuff.
Anyway, 3.25 stars.
A major side-theme of this travelogue is the legend surrounding Noah's Ark coming to rest atop Mt. Ararat. Antonson does a good job explaining the mythology, scholarship, and promotion of different theories as to the ark's existence and survival. Crazy stuff.
Anyway, 3.25 stars.
October 25, 2020
There are some places only white men can travel alone, and once I got over Antonson's lack of awareness of his extreme privilege, I enjoyed this travelog and history lesson. Having a friend of Armenian descent, and having read a painfully long The Sleepwalkers: How Europe Went to War in 1914 on the details of World War I, I went into the story with a healthy respect for the struggles of the Armenians and the Kurdish people.
The unexpected gem was the history of flood narratives, starting with the Flood Tablets, written circa 2000-1800 BCE as part of the Epic of Gilgamesh, the Ark Tablet, written circa 1900-1700 BCE, and finally the Noah's Ark story, first written down circa 538-332 BCE.
The unexpected gem was the history of flood narratives, starting with the Flood Tablets, written circa 2000-1800 BCE as part of the Epic of Gilgamesh, the Ark Tablet, written circa 1900-1700 BCE, and finally the Noah's Ark story, first written down circa 538-332 BCE.
May 1, 2019
A rarified read interesting to those who are curious about Mount Ararat, like I am.
Antonson has a nice tour of phrase many times in this travel story, and he provides plenty of interesting information about the various attempts to climb the mountain in search of Noah's Ark.
I enjoyed the book, but it was too easy to set aside so it took me much longer to finish than I anticipated. He also didn't explain at the start of the story that the adventure took place in 2010--which is pretty significant for those following that volatile corner of the current world.
Still, worth the read and it sent me to Youtube, Amazon prime movies and to other places--mostly to get a better sense of what the landscape looks like and the trials of that hike.
Thanks.
Antonson has a nice tour of phrase many times in this travel story, and he provides plenty of interesting information about the various attempts to climb the mountain in search of Noah's Ark.
I enjoyed the book, but it was too easy to set aside so it took me much longer to finish than I anticipated. He also didn't explain at the start of the story that the adventure took place in 2010--which is pretty significant for those following that volatile corner of the current world.
Still, worth the read and it sent me to Youtube, Amazon prime movies and to other places--mostly to get a better sense of what the landscape looks like and the trials of that hike.
Thanks.
Read
April 6, 2020I started reading this book while "sheltering in place" for the coronavirus...I needed to get out of my house and away from the news...this provided a good escape.
Rick was lucky to meet amazing helpful and interesting people and very lucky to never have been lead down a back alley to danger...all might not be so lucky!
At the back of the book is a time line that is very helpful in following the history of the world and the discoveries/research.
It was sad to read of all of the destruction to archaeological sites and statues...the history of these areas are ruined forever.
Now my escape is over and back to "sheltering in place."
Rick was lucky to meet amazing helpful and interesting people and very lucky to never have been lead down a back alley to danger...all might not be so lucky!
At the back of the book is a time line that is very helpful in following the history of the world and the discoveries/research.
It was sad to read of all of the destruction to archaeological sites and statues...the history of these areas are ruined forever.
Now my escape is over and back to "sheltering in place."
October 30, 2020
An interesting read. The Noah's Ark and mountain climbing aspects were sidelines with the major topic being the author's experiences with local people. In summary, he found the locals to be very friendly and welcoming, sharing many of the same values as those of us of the western culture. I was particularly interested in the geographic aspects of the area , having flown in 1972 from central Turkey and then from Athens to Tehran at about 17,000 feet in a military aircraft. Had I been more familiar with the geography then, the first flight would have been more interesting. It would not have made a difference in the flight from Athens to Tehran as that flight was at night in heavy weather.
January 15, 2021
A travel journey, history lesson and unanswered question was Norah and his are really real!
Exceptionally well written captivating journey through Turkey, Armenia area of Iraq and side trip Iran; history of these lands dating back pre BC times filled with intricate historical details and the thread of did Norah and his Ark really exist based on many beliefs that remnants existed on Mt Ararat or elsewhere in the surrounding area within Turkey. As an avid traveler grounded way too long during Covid-19 pandemic, this read has been the next best thing to traveling!
Exceptionally well written captivating journey through Turkey, Armenia area of Iraq and side trip Iran; history of these lands dating back pre BC times filled with intricate historical details and the thread of did Norah and his Ark really exist based on many beliefs that remnants existed on Mt Ararat or elsewhere in the surrounding area within Turkey. As an avid traveler grounded way too long during Covid-19 pandemic, this read has been the next best thing to traveling!
May 18, 2016
Great read filled with adventure, stories, historical facts, maps and more. Enjoy the journey to Mount Ararat and beyond through the eyes, and experiences of this world traveler. You will learn, laugh, and want to keep reading this well written, detailed journey. Pick up this delightful book and see if you don't agree.
I won this book on Goodreads and am happy to write a very positive review of this wonderful book.
I won this book on Goodreads and am happy to write a very positive review of this wonderful book.
March 13, 2017
I enjoyed this. Well written and engaging, it is sensitive to cultural differences and cultural beauty without preaching about them. The research about the different flood theories and the history of ark 'discoveries' as well as the importance of the ark story and mount Ararat to different cultures and religions is well presented and a very interesting complement to the narrative of Antonson's travel experiences.
May 19, 2021
Combination of travel memoir and history lessons with fun anecdotes mixed in for added pleasure. This is a genre that I love dearly and this book did not disappoint me.
The passage where late at night the author steps off a ferry wondering if there will be any taxis available is something that I too encountered in my 2006 trip to Scotland.
Travel is life and this book was packed with living. Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Armenia all play a part around the mountain known as Ararat.
The passage where late at night the author steps off a ferry wondering if there will be any taxis available is something that I too encountered in my 2006 trip to Scotland.
Travel is life and this book was packed with living. Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Armenia all play a part around the mountain known as Ararat.
February 2, 2022
A fun look at one man's climb of Ararat and his travels in the regions around the Mountain. It was interesting to read about the site Durupinar and then to see a news article about further studies planned on this site. I found myself laughing at some of the interactions and also feeling sad for all the places that have been bulldozed by ISIS in the last decade. Such a rich cultural region wracked by war.
May 19, 2016
Full Moon Over Noah's Ark was an excellent read. I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I have never read a travel book cover to cover before and this one caught me on page one. Rick Antonson has written an amazing account of his travels in the Middle East. I learned a lot and now have a new appreciation for this part of our world. Thank you.
September 21, 2016
A Canadian journalist/adventurer is captivated the the exotic nature of Anatolia and the flood myth. He climbs Ararat and travels among Kurds, Turks, and Armenians and goes to Iraq and Iran. Overall it is pretty interesting but has more of his personal experience and less history than I generally like. At least he demolishes the ark myths in a gentle Canadian way.
September 21, 2016
Knowing the author made this read a little more connected.
Rick writes a great story and infuses not only historic data and perspective but also brings the human side (social habits and style) into the story, taking me back to my first European back packing trip at 20 yrs old, meeting new people and cultures.
Rick writes a great story and infuses not only historic data and perspective but also brings the human side (social habits and style) into the story, taking me back to my first European back packing trip at 20 yrs old, meeting new people and cultures.
May 19, 2017
An immediately engaging, thought-provoking journey that is part travel, part spiritual and part historical.
The author immerses himself in an alien culture and vividly recreates the marvels of nature and the colourful characters with whom he interacts to weave a lyrical tale which is hugely enjoyable and very readable.
A very satisfying read.
The author immerses himself in an alien culture and vividly recreates the marvels of nature and the colourful characters with whom he interacts to weave a lyrical tale which is hugely enjoyable and very readable.
A very satisfying read.
September 19, 2021
I met Rick on a plane coming home from Hong Kong and he was looking at images of old me with beards on his computer the rest, as they say, is history - we made an agreement that I would edit his book. Fascinating search for the legends and facts of the Mt Ararat myths and history and a childhood dream achieved.
October 25, 2017
Beautiful
Take journey to the middle east. Always wanted to and now feel like I have. The mystical story of Noah's ark will be around forever. Maybe this will help you confirm what you think you know.
Take journey to the middle east. Always wanted to and now feel like I have. The mystical story of Noah's ark will be around forever. Maybe this will help you confirm what you think you know.
March 3, 2019
I found this book very interesting and informative. I learned a lot about an area of the world that I knew very little about. The book is well written and easy to read. It peaked my interest and now I want to do more research on the different stories about Noah's Ark.
March 18, 2019
Just travel woes, a strangely brief mountain ascent, and a long period where the author uses a lot of chapters to say "Middle Eastern politics are complicated". It feels like a guy live-tweeting a vacation he thought would be interesting.
August 11, 2019
Is an excelente travel book with some historical figure , notes and various referent to others book of the same concept . This time the author have a very good narrative of the area of action where he is traveling , is more enjoyable and entertaining than his former book :to Timbuktu for a haircut.
April 9, 2020
I enjoy reading about places on the earth that I have little to no familiarity with. Especially with google earth by my side. For me parts of the book about the mountain, the terrain, the cities, the people,all interesting. Noah’s ark and the history of the search for a site less so.
July 6, 2021
A travelog of a trip to Ararat and beyond. There were a lot of interesting facts. There was lots of diversions. The actual part about climbing Mount Ararat was unexpectedly insignificant part of the book.
October 8, 2024
Rick Antonson hiked up Mt. Ararat with a guide and 5 fellow travelers. But the part that was fascinating to me was the travel he did getting to Ararat and home. He dropped into Iraq and Iran and later ARmenia.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews