Valley of the Casbahs : A Journey Across the Moroccan Sahara - Hardcover

Tayler Jeffrey

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0316860786 ISBN 13: 9780316860789

Publisher: Little, Brown, 2003

Synopsis

The four-hundred-and-fifty-mile long Draa River Valley in the Moroccan Sahara contains some of the most sumptuous oases and searing desert of the Arab world, starting in the moonscape gorges of the Anti Atlas Mountains through to a green sea of date palms over which rise the many-towered casbahs of ochre coloured clay, medieval in aspect and sheltering a life medieval in character. It is a region richer historically and ethnically than anywhere else in North Africa. The river stretches to the mosaic of dunes and parched land known as hammada - the domain of Bedouin and Blue Men and isolated Berber tribes - and pours through the desert into the Atlantic, where it ends its course. Jeffrey Tayler follows the Draa by foot and on camel, recounting stays in casbah homes, weddings, visits to mosques and marabouts and nights in hashish dens. It is a journey marked with extremes - of weather, as Tayler survives intense heat and sandstorms and potentially lethal local tribesmen - and one which he only narrowly escapes to tell this tale.

About this title

About the Author:

Jeffrey Tayler is a traveller & writer, working for CONDE NAST TRAVELLER, SPIN, HARPER'S MAGAZINE & ATLANTIC MONTHLY. In 2000 2 of his essays were selected by Bill Bryson for the 1st edin of THE BEST AMERICAN TRAVEL WRITING. He lives in Moscow.

Review:

'Tayler imparts a sense of immediacy to his travels, while reflecting on a nomadic way of life in fast decline.' NORTHERN ECHO 'A delightful and thought-provoking snapshot of Moroccan life.' DAILY EXPRESS 'He vividly recreates his trek, balancing the beauty with the gritty.' INK 'It is easy to see why Tayler counts Bill Bryson amongst his fans' GOOD BOOK GUIDE

About this edition

• Publisher: Little, Brown
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0316860786
• ISBN 13: 9780316860789
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 352