Walking to Samarkand

The Great Silk Road from Persia to Central Asia

By: Bernard Ollivier, Dan Golembeski - translator

Narrated by: Nigel Patterson

Walking to Samarkand is journalist Bernard Ollivier's stunning account of the second leg 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.

After crossing the final mountain passes of Turkish Kurdistan, Ollivier sets foot in Iran, keen on locating vestiges of the silk trade as he passes through Persia's modern cities and traditional villages, including Tabriz, Tehran, Nishapur, and the holy city of Mashhad. Beyond urban areas lie deserts: first Iran's Great Salt Desert, then Turkmenistan's forbidding Karakum, whose relentless sun, snakes, and scorpions pose continuous challenges to Ollivier's goal of reaching Uzbekistan.

Setting his own fears aside, he travels on, wonderstruck at every turn, borne by a childhood dream: to see for himself the golden domes and turquoise skies of Samarkand, one of Central Asia's most ancient cities. But what Ollivier enjoys most are the people along the way: Askar, the hospitable gardener; the pilgrims of Mashhad; and his knights in shining armor, Mehdi and Monir. For, despite setting out alone, he comes to find that walking itself—through a kind of alchemy—surrounds him with friends and fosters fellowship.

©2001 Bernard Ollivier; English translation copyright 2020 by Dan Golembeski (P)2022 Tantor

The interaction with the locals

Interesting descriptions of walking through Iran, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan which offers a great understanding of the local people and cultures.

GOOD FOLLOW UP

This book is a follow up to “Walking to Samarkand”, a series of three books.
As the first book, I enjoyed reading about his adventures, the landscapes and most of all, the people he meets along the way.
I recommend listening, it is interesting and relaxing.
The narrator, mr. Nigel Patterson, does an excellent job.
My thanks to all involved, JK.

Seconf Time Listening to this Book

I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure story. I am sure I will listen to it many more times. I admire Bernard's courage in doing this journey alone. And understand his apprehension of all the creepy crawlies (spiders and snakes) along the away. His way of handling difficult officials etc also. His attitude for the whole journey was amazing. I can't wait for his next book