Ultimate soldier. Ultimate mission. But can the SAS storm a fortress prison held by Muslim terrorists to rescue a group of British tourists? In 1994, in the newly independent state of Uzbekistan, a party of mostly British tourists is on a day excursion from the fabled city of Samarkand when Muslim fundamentalists hijack their bus. Unknown to the hijackers, this particular group contains recently retired ex-SAS sergeant Jamie Docherty, and the rebellious...

In the low Middle Ages, in the middle of the winter, a defeated and wounded Viking warrior is found in the Asian frozen plains by a young Mongol maid. A romance starts in that difficult environment. The woman turns out to be a shaman of the Tengrist cult. In current times, a young man dressed in odd clothes wakes up near a big commercial city near the Silk Road connecting China and Europe. In his confused brain certain disturbing images of his past...

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Book Preview: #1 I had been on three flights before boarding the bus to Erzurum: Paris—Istanbul, Istanbul—Ankara, and finally Ankara—Erzurum. I was comfortably strapped in my seat when I looked down and watched as the landscapes, cities, and villages raced by. I wanted to get out and walk. #2 I set out from Istanbul on the first leg of this journey in April 1999. I was excited...

Acclaimed journalist Bernard Ollivier continues his epic journey across Persia and Central Asia as he walks the length of the Great Silk Road. Walking to Samarkand is journalist Bernard Ollivier's stunning account of the second part of his 7,200-mile walk from Istanbul, Turkey to Xi'an, China along the Silk Road--the longest and perhaps most mythical trade route of all time. Picking up where Out of Istanbul left off, Ollivier heads out of the Middle...

In the seventh century the kingdom of Samarkand sent formal gifts of fancy yellow peaches, large as goose eggs and with a color like gold, to the Chinese court at Ch'ang-an. What kind of fruit these golden peaches really were cannot now be guessed, but they have the glamour of mystery, and they symbolize all the exotic things longed for, and unknown things hoped for, by the people of the T'ang empire. This book examines the exotics imported into China...

Samarkand, among the oldest and greatest cities of Central Asia, contains a wealth of historical and cultural treasures. Trace the history of this fascinating icon of the Silk Road, and the Islamic transformation of the region. Take in the splendor of Samarkand's monuments, highlighting the glorious Bibi Khanum mosque, the Gur-i Emir tomb, and the spectacular madrassahs of the Registan.

Introduces Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, and describes how it is celebrated in different areas of the world, including Israel, Istanbul, Italy, Poland, and New York City. Includes glossary and recipes.

Art of faith is a visually sumptuous series exploring the architecture and art of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Each program is presented and narrated by the broadcaster John McCarthy, who visits many of the greatest and most significant religious buildings of the world. Art of faith: Islam includes the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, mosques in Kairouan and Cordoba, both the Haghia Sophia church and the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, the Taj Mahal at...