The Argonautika, The Story of Jason and the Quest for the Golden Fleece  •  Apollonius of Rhodes  •  Peter Green LITERATURE •  2007 •  PAPER The story, in verse, by Apollonius of Jason and the Argonauts on their quest for the Golden Fleece, here retold. A noted classicist, Peter Green retranslates the original into readable modern verse. With a helpful glossary and maps that show the route of the journey. (GRE92, $24.95)
Armenia, At the Crossroads  •  Joseph Masih  •  Robert O. Krikorian HISTORY •  1999 •  PAPER  • 162 PAGES A discussion of modern Armenia and its unstable political position after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Focusing mostly on the period since the democratic movement of 1988, it portrays Armenia as a nation whose future could lead down any number of paths. (CCS08, $38.95)
Armenia/Azerbaijan Map  •  International Travel Maps MAP A folded traveler's map of Armenia and Azerbaijan at a scale of 1:650,000. (CCS23, $10.95)
Azerbaijan Diary: A Rogue Reporter's Adventures in an Oil-Rich, War-Torn, Post Soviet Republic  •  Thomas Goltz TRAVEL NARRATIVE •  1999 •  PAPER  • 528 PAGES A witness to the political unrest of Azerbaijan in the early 1990s, freelance journalist Thomas Goltz spent six years negotiating the landscape, taking in all the chaos. His account of that time captures the atmosphere -- politically charged and somewhat mad -- and the book works as both an adventure story and a piece of significant journalism. (CCS09, $36.95)
Black Dog of Fate, A Memoir  •  Peter Balakian BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  1998 •  PAPER  • 304 PAGES A powerful memoir of coming-of-age and growing cultural identity. When Peter Balakian was growing up in suburban New Jersey in the 1950s, he knew little of his Armenian heritage except that it was the source of his family's many tasty meals. As he grew into an adult, he learned of his grandmother's escape from the genocide of 1915, and was awakened to the horrors that lay in his family's past. (CCS12, $15.95)
The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze, And Other Stories  •  William Saroyan LITERATURE •  1997 •  PAPER  • 270 PAGES The most famous Armenian-American writer of the 20th century, William Saroyan first gained recognition for this collection of short stories, many of which are concerned with Armenian families living in and around Saroyan's home town of Fresno, California. (USW210, $14.95)
God Lives in St. Petersburg, and Other Stories  •  Tom Bissell LITERATURE •  2006 •  PAPER  • 212 PAGES Bissell (Chasing the Sea) returns to his years in Central Asia as a Peace Corps volunteer in these sharp, witty fictionalized accounts. His six fast-paced tales are set in Kazakhstan, Afghanistan and the Aral Sea. (CAS117, $13.95)
A History of Ottoman Architecture  •  Godfrey Goodwin ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2003 •  PAPER  • 512 PAGES A definitive, illustrated guide to Ottoman architecture by the highly regarded British publishers Thames and Hudson. It covers the whole of Turkey, and is strong on the historical and social context of the buildings. With 500 black-and-white illustrations and 81site plans, the book includes any Ottoman building of any importance in Turkey. Organized chronologically and with a good index, the book would make an excellent (if bulky) companion for the traveler with a serious interest in architecture. A monumental feat. (TKY39, $39.95)
Istanbul and the Civilization of the Ottoman Empire  •  Bernard Lewis HISTORY •  1989 •  PAPER  • 187 PAGES • FAVORITE In this slim volume the great Islamic scholar describes the invasion of Constantinople by the OttomanTurks on May 29, 1453, evoking the city at this pivotal moment in its long history. It is a fascinating, highly readable look at the people and architecture of the city with a superb discussion of the conquest and its cultural aftermath. Highly recommended for an understanding of the long, complex history of the city. (TKY17, $19.95)
Lonely Planet Georgia, Armenia & Azerbaijan  •  John Noble GUIDEBOOK •  2008 •  PAPER  • 296 PAGES A practical guide to the Caucasus by Lonely Planet, featuring 40 maps, a good overview of culture, history and nature, and much information on excursions, accommodations and sightseeing (along with places that the traveler should avoid). With 16 pages of color photographs and excellent travel information, including a language guide. (CCS05, $24.99)
Looking Toward Ararat, Armenia in Modern History  •  Ronald Grigor Suny HISTORY •  1993 •  PAPER  • 304 PAGES A scholarly analysis of Armenian government and society, focusing on modern times up to the early 1990s. With notes and a bibliography. (CCS19, $19.95)
The Ottoman Turks: An Introductory History to 1923  •  Justin McCarthy HISTORY •  1997 •  PAPER  • 406 PAGES Written by a historian who has a way with words, this book is a vivid overview of the history, customs and traditions of Ottoman Turkey for the curious general reader. It covers not only the history of the Ottoman Empire but also society, environment and everyday life. With many helpful maps and illustrations. (TKY36, $62.40)
The Private World of Ottoman Women  •  Godfrey Goodwin CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  2007 •  HARD COVER  • 263 PAGES For those particularly interested in the role of women in the Ottoman empire, this far-ranging book explores the world of women from all levels of society during six centuries of rule, including harem life, court ceremony, travel and domestic affairs. (TKY34, $24.95)
Russia and a Divided Azerbaijan, A Borderland in Transition  •  Tadeusz Swietochowski HISTORY •  1995 •  HARD COVER  • 272 PAGES A scholarly discussion of the somewhat schizophrenic cultural identity of Azerbaijan, a country that lies between Russia and Iran and has been subject to a multitude of ethnic influences. (CCS14, $59.00)
Survivors, An Oral History of the Armenian Genocide  •  Donald E. Miller  •  Lorna Touryan Miller HISTORY •  1999 •  PAPER  • 274 PAGES A disturbing, yet important account of the genocide of the Armenians at the hands of the Turks during World War I. The husband and wife team of Donald and Lorna Miller collected numerous eyewitness reports and official documents to support actual stories of survivors, which make up the majority of the book. Brutal and terrifying, yet filled with the triumph of survival, these are powerful stories of a resilient people and the horrors of ethnic cleansing. (CCS16, $22.95)
A Woman's Asia  •  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. Featuring selections from Jan Morris, Pamela Logan and Alison Wright. (ASA49, $17.95)