Normally I am pretty good about remembering where and why I purchased a particular book. But, that is not the case with Colin Thubron’s Shadow of the Silk Road. For all 
I can truthfully recall, it just materialized on my bookshelf. And for that, I am quite glad, because it might just be the perfect story of travel, adventure and history.
I can truthfully recall, it just materialized on my bookshelf. And for that, I am quite glad, because it might just be the perfect story of travel, adventure and history.Shadow of the Silk Road by Colin Thubron is about his cross-country trip from Xian, China to Antioch, Turkey, retracing the path of the old Silk Road. As he travels, principly by land, Thubron rediscovers the trading route that once linked East and West. He relates a fantastic story of adventure while interweaving the amazing history of the land and, more importantly, its people.
I absolutely loved Thubron’s Shadow of the Silk Road. It is, without a doubt, one of the top five travel books I have ever read; it is an engaging story with some of the best writing my eyes have ever had the distinct pleasure to see. And as I crane my neck to look at the stack of various travel literature that collects dust on my shelves, that is saying something.
Normally I would point out something I didn’t like about a paritcular book, too, but that is not possible with Shadow of the Silk Road. I hate to sound like I’m gushing over Colin Thubron’s work, but there was not a single thing that bothered me with his book. From the maps before page one to the end of the historical timeline on page 349, I loved every bit of this story.
Rarely do I find a book that so beautifully combines my loves of history, travel and adventure. And when I’m fortunate enough to find one, they are often not nearly as engaging as Shadow of the Silk Road. For that single reason, I recommend Colin Thubron’s Shadow of the Silk Road to anyone who has ever been curious about the world; I have no doubt you, too, will fall in love with it.
Jason's Travels 
My Uncle read this and recommended it, gosh I’m getting addicted to your book reviews Jason and the travel bug which has been dormant a while, is in fear of being reawakened if I travel much further through your blog. So I will follow and resist a little for now as they day is passing and I am far from the present.
Interesting Kerouac’s Dharma book, could be more my style as well than ‘On the Road’.
Thanks for a fun morning, bonne continuation.
Thanks for the comments, Claire! I’m transferring everything over from my old site right now, so this is very much a rough draft of everything with various issues – like paragraph separation. Lots more to come, though!