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Syria
This ambitious new Bradt guide aims to promote a responsible, nonintrusive kind of tourism by offering visitors more than mere descriptions of sites, hotels, and restaurants, stimulating a genuine interest and understanding of the people and their role in modern-day Syria. The country possesses some of the most impressive historical sites in the Mediterranean. Damascus and the surrounding area are covered in detail, with the Roman caravan city of Palmyra and the Crusader castle of Crac des Chevaliers being just two of the featured attractions. Features *Exceptionally detailed on-the-ground descriptions of archaelogical and historical sites*In-depth examination of Islam--never properly attempted by previous guides to Syria*Traveling independently or part of an organized tour, with accommodations ranging from renovated Arab palaces to camping*Language section with basic greetings and everyday phrases in Arabic
296 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2006
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October 7, 2013
I bought this guide as research material for a book I'm currently writing, so the fact that it's outdated (and fawning over the dictator Assad, who is currently [June 2013] in the process of murdering his own people) didn't dissuade me.
I'm not disputing that Darke knows her way around Syria. I am disputing that she has the foggiest idea about the medieval part of that country's history or the Crusades. What made me laugh with disbelief was Darke's assertion on page 200:
"[The Templar's] ... leanings towards obscure oriental practices and heresies have been revealed now though through Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code, and at the time lent them enormous recruiting appeal."
Really, Mrs Darke?
This is such laughably bad history that I would recommend ignoring whatever she says about the Crusades or the knightly orders (a heretic order wouldn't have been protected/endorsed by the Pope, and calling upon Dan Brown as any type of authority just makes me cringe). Dan Brown has very little "to reveal". Anyway, I'm not getting too far carried away. The book did the job I needed it for. As a door-opener to Syria's vast and rich history, it's dubious at best. Bradt can do much better.
I'm not disputing that Darke knows her way around Syria. I am disputing that she has the foggiest idea about the medieval part of that country's history or the Crusades. What made me laugh with disbelief was Darke's assertion on page 200:
"[The Templar's] ... leanings towards obscure oriental practices and heresies have been revealed now though through Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code, and at the time lent them enormous recruiting appeal."
Really, Mrs Darke?
This is such laughably bad history that I would recommend ignoring whatever she says about the Crusades or the knightly orders (a heretic order wouldn't have been protected/endorsed by the Pope, and calling upon Dan Brown as any type of authority just makes me cringe). Dan Brown has very little "to reveal". Anyway, I'm not getting too far carried away. The book did the job I needed it for. As a door-opener to Syria's vast and rich history, it's dubious at best. Bradt can do much better.
Displaying 1 of 1 review