The Golden Horde: From the Himalaya to the Mediterranean (Tauris Parke Paperbacks) - Softcover

Paine, Sheila

Softcover

ISBN 10: 184511244X ISBN 13: 9781845112448

Publisher: Tauris Parke Paperbacks, 2006

Synopsis

In The Afghan Amulet, Sheila Paine told the story of her extraordinary search for a mysterious amulet, a journey that had taken her from the Hindu Kush to Bulgaria.

Here, her quest continues. Starting in the forbidden valley of Palas in Pakistan, she travels through the former territories of the Soviet Union -- from Arctic Northern Russia, through the lands of Genghis Khan's Golden Horde and into Soviet Central Asia -- Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and into the wild Tien Shan. She follows ancient trading routes, travelling in the footsteps of merchants and armies, chasing legends of goddess worship, traditions of Orthodox belief and stories of pagan superstition. Her relentless pursuit, involving years of travel, finally ends on the island of Karpathos in Greece, where in a tiny church on Easter Sunday she finds the amulet -- a powerful talisman that is still used to ward off evil spirits. Sheila Paine's search evolved into an unexpected journey full of twists and turns, dead ends and discoveries, ultimately revealing the ancient threads that culturally bind Central Asia and Eastern Europe.

About this title

About the Author

Sheila Paine is a world expert on tribal societies and textiles. Her passion for travel began when she was very young and has taken her across the world, from Africa to Pakistan. She is the author of several acclaimed books, including Embroidery from India and Pakistan, The Linen Goddess and The Afghan Amulet (also Tauris Parke Paperbacks) and has won travel writing awards from the Independent and the Sunday Times. She is currently writing a book on Afghan Embroidery for the British Museum.

Review

"The Golden Horde is the perfect vehicle for Paine's fresh prose."--Independent on Sunday, Book of the Week

"This is excellent travel writing from an author who is always lively, fascinated by everything and prepared to take almost insane risks."--Times Literary Supplement

"Dalrymple and Birkett both project personal glamour. Sheila Paine couldn't be bothered with it...she has a lovely tenderness towards those who made or make things."--The Guardian

"Sheila Paine is not your usual travel writer. When she comes across a piece of her precious embroidery, the prose lights up as if illuminated from within."--Irish Times

"Few travellers manage to get below the surface grottiness of Central Asia: Paine, now and again, touches something very deep indeed."--Irish Times
"She is intrepid, upbeat and a keen observer of human types."--The Scotsman

About this edition

• Publisher: Tauris Parke Paperbacks
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 184511244X
• ISBN 13: 9781845112448
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320