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In the Kitchen

Gran Cocina Latina, The Food of Latin America

Maricel E. Presilla

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Endurance, Shackleton's Incredible Voyage

Alfred Lansing

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Arctic Dreams

Barry Lopez

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Every Day in Tuscany, Seasons of an Italian Life

Frances Mayes

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AFGHANISTAN

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Afghanistan, A Cultural and Political History


by Thomas Barfield

  • HISTORY
  • 2010
  • HARD COVER
  • 389 PAGES

Barfield traces the historic struggles and the changing politics from the Mughal Empire in the 16th century to the Taliban resurgence in the 21st and offers insight into the U.S.'s role in the region. (CAS188, $29.95)

Afghanistan, A Cultural History


by St John Simpson

  • CULTURAL PORTRAIT
  • 2012
  • PAPER
  • 160 PAGES

This lively, illustrated portrait introduces the peoples, art, and civilization of Afghanistan. (CAS203, $19.95)

Alexander the Great and the Mystery of the Elephant Medallions


by Frank L. Holt

  • HISTORY
  • 2003
  • PAPER
  • 198 PAGES

Like a historical sleuth, classics scholar Frank L. Holt -- an expert on ancient Bactria -- solves the real-life mystery of the elephant medallions, curious coins from Bactria during the reign of Alexander, in this concise, informative look at ancient history. (CAS115, $27.95)

Caravans

Caravans


by James Michener

  • LITERATURE
  • 2003
  • PAPER
  • 352 PAGES

Michener traces the fate of a young U.S. diplomat based in Kabul just after WWII. (CAS85, $14.95)

Central Asia Map

Central Asia Map


by Nelles

  • 2011
  • MAP

An up-to-date, double-sided shaded relief map at a scale of 1:1,750,000. (CAS37, $13.95)

Central Asia: 130 years of Russian Dominance

Central Asia: 130 years of Russian Dominance


by Edward Allworth

  • HISTORY
  • 1994
  • PAPER
  • 650 PAGES

A scholarly overview of foreign influence in the region. (CAS26, $27.95)

The Central Asian States, Discovering Independence

The Central Asian States, Discovering Independence


by Gregory Gleason

  • CULTURAL PORTRAIT
  • 1997
  • PAPER
  • 256 PAGES

A timely analysis of the emergent independent republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. With maps and illustrations. (CAS27, $43.00)

The Dust of Empire, The Race for Mastery in the Asian Heartland

The Dust of Empire, The Race for Mastery in the Asian Heartland


by Karl Meyer

  • HISTORY
  • 2004
  • PAPER
  • 256 PAGES

An engaging report on politics and struggles in 20th-century Central Asia, the Caucasus, Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and Russia. (CAS96, $15.00)

Eastward to Tartary

Eastward to Tartary


by Robert D. Kaplan

  • TRAVEL NARRATIVE
  • 2001
  • PAPER
  • 364 PAGES

A glimpse into the people and history that color the countries of Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, the Caucasus and finally Central Asia, in a loosely organized travelogue by the author of the acclaimed Balkan Ghosts. (CAS45, $15.95)

Eric Shipton, The Six Mountain Travel Books

Eric Shipton, The Six Mountain Travel Books


by Eric Shipton

  • EXPLORATION
  • 2011
  • PAPER
  • 800 PAGES

Shipton's extraordinary adventures in the mountains of the Himalayas, East Africa, Central Asia and Patagonia, now in paper. (EXP12, $34.95)

The Golden Peaches of Samarkand, A Study of T'ang Exotics


by Edward Schafer

  • ART & ARCHITECTURE
  • 1985
  • PAPER
  • 399 PAGES

A marvelous study of the court of T'ang Dynasty China, and the many splendid works of art that were given in tribute. (CAS53, $39.95)

A History of Russia, Central Asia and Mongolia: Volume I: Inner Eurasia from Prehistory to the Mongol Empire


by David Christian

  • HISTORY
  • 1998
  • PAPER
  • 472 PAGES

A comprehensive history of the region from the Stone Age to the 13th-century Mongol Empire. This book will appeal to the traveler with a serious interest in the cultural origins of the region. (CAS35, $67.95)

Hundred Thousand Fools of God

Hundred Thousand Fools of God


by Theodore Levin

  • MUSIC
  • 1999
  • PAPER
  • 346 PAGES

An engaging account of adventures in ethnomusicology in contemporary Central Asia, Levin is a wonderful guide to musical traditions in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. With an accompanying CD featuring the traditional music of Central Asia. (CAS59, $29.95)

Kabul Map


by Gita Shenassi

  • MAP

A reference map of Kabul at a scale of 1:27,500. (CAS125, $18.95)

Lonely Planet Central Asia

Lonely Planet Central Asia


by Lonely Planet

  • GUIDEBOOK
  • 2010
  • PAPER
  • 528 PAGES

A comprehensive, detailed guide to travel in the region, including Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. (CAS42, $32.99)

The Places in Between

The Places in Between


by Rory Stewart

  • TRAVEL NARRATIVE
  • 2006
  • PAPER
  • 336 PAGES

Rory Stewart illuminates the absurdity, plight and peril of war-ravaged Afghanistan in his thrilling, poignant account of a walk across the country from Herat to Kabul in the dead of winter. (MDE100, $14.95)

The Politics of Heroin, CIA Complicity in the Global Drug Trade


by Alfred McCoy

  • HISTORY
  • 1991
  • PAPER
  • 634 PAGES

An expanded version of McCoy's groundbreaking "The Politics of Heroin in Southeast Asia." (LAO09, $32.95)

Religions of the Silk Road

Religions of the Silk Road


by Richard C. Foltz

  • RELIGION
  • 2000
  • PAPER
  • 186 PAGES

A scholarly survey of cultural traditions, and especially religions, along the trade routes through China and Central Asia from antiquity to the 15th century. (CAS52, $28.00)

Samarkand, A Novel

Samarkand, A Novel


by Amin Maalouf | Russell Harris

  • LITERATURE
  • 1998
  • PAPER
  • 304 PAGES

A fictional history of Persia featuring Omar Khayyam, the 11th-century poet and author of the "Rubaiyat." Written by Lebanese novelist Amin Maalouf. (CAS69, $14.95)

Setting the East Ablaze, Lenin's Dream of an Empire in Asia

Setting the East Ablaze, Lenin's Dream of an Empire in Asia


by Peter Hopkirk

  • HISTORY
  • 1995
  • PAPER
  • 268 PAGES

Another volume in the grand Hopkirk tradition of intrigue, treachery, executions and skullduggery. (CAS25, $15.95)

The Silk Road Journey with Xuanzang

The Silk Road Journey with Xuanzang


by Sally Wriggins

  • TRAVEL NARRATIVE
  • 2003
  • PAPER
  • 352 PAGES

A nicely illustrated account of an extraordinary, 16-year trek from Xi'an to India by way of Central Asia in search of the origins of Buddhism by Xuan-Zang, the famous 7th-century Chinese monk. (ASA31, $25.00)

Sir Aurel Stein, Archaeological Explorer

Sir Aurel Stein, Archaeological Explorer


by Jeanette Mirsky

  • BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR
  • 1998
  • PAPER
  • 585 PAGES

Mirsky captures the excitement, derring-do, fortunes and controversy surrounding Stein's discovery of tombs, temples and monasteries and other ancient treasures of the Silk Road. (CAS61, $22.50)

South Southeast

South Southeast


by Steve McCurry

  • ART & ARCHITECTURE
  • 2001
  • HARD COVER
  • 160 PAGES

A remarkable portfolio of striking photographs taken in and around Afghanistan, Burma, India, Pakistan and other sites in South and Southeast Asia over a long career. Saturated with color, light and evocative of daily life. (ASA34, $65.00)

Three Cups of Tea, One Man's Mission to Fight Terrorism and Build Nations . . . One School at a Time

Three Cups of Tea, One Man's Mission to Fight Terrorism and Build Nations . . . One School at a Time


by Greg Mortenson | David Oliver Relin

  • CULTURAL PORTRAIT
  • 2007
  • PAPER
  • 352 PAGES

The fascinating true story of American nurse Mortenson who attempted to scale K2 in 1993 and ended up sheltered in a remote Pakistani mountain village. In return, he set up the village's first school, a project which expanded into the 50-school Central Asia Institute (PKN20, $16.00)

The Travels of Marco Polo

The Travels of Marco Polo


by Marco Polo | Ronald Lantham

  • TRAVEL NARRATIVE
  • 1975
  • PAPER
  • 380 PAGES

The memories of a 13th-century journey to China along the Silk Road, among the most famous travel accounts ever. Describing exotic plants, birds, precious gems, silks, and spices with a merchant's eye, this superb geographer recounts his 20 years of travel. (CAS05, $15.00)

The Twentieth Wife

The Twentieth Wife


by Indu Sundaresan

  • LITERATURE
  • 2002
  • PAPER
  • 397 PAGES

Sundaresan boldly reimagines the life of the powerful 17th-century Mughal ruler Jahanara in this lush, action-packed historical novel. (IDA307, $16.00)

War at the Top of the World, The Struggle for Afghanistan, Kashmir, and Tibet

War at the Top of the World, The Struggle for Afghanistan, Kashmir, and Tibet


by Eric Margolis

  • HISTORY
  • 2002
  • PAPER
  • 288 PAGES

An overview of geography, religion and politics of the High Himalayas, and its strategic value to Pakistan, India and China. Updated throughout in this second edition, with a new chapter on the Taliban. (PKN09, $36.95)

A Woman's Asia

A Woman's Asia


by Marybeth Bond

  • ANTHOLOGY
  • 2005
  • PAPER
  • 310 PAGES

These thirty-five personal, often hilarious accounts of women's adventures from China to Sri Lanka to Turkey to Bhutan, not only illuminating the everyday, oft-overlooked cultural practices of Asia, but also giving a glimpse into the thoughts and feelings of the female traveller. (ASA49, $17.95)

 

Longitude provides recommended reading for travelers in partnership with the leading tour operators and travel programs for hundreds of destinations worldwide. We've got the classic, new and hard-to-find books and maps to help you get the most out of your adventures.