Take a journey through the history of the Silk Roads with this visually stunning reference book. Traversing snowy mountain passes, vast, forbidding deserts and stormy seas, the ancient trade routes known as the Silk Roads were about much more than the movement of goods; they paved the way for an unprecedented period of cultural exchange, diplomacy and conflict, creating a legacy that continues to affect global geopolitics in the 21st century. Geordie Torr guides us through the history and politics of these fabled routes while also celebrating the incredible feats of those who traversed them and the beauty of the routes themselves. Features timelines, maps, profiles on key figures and important cities and is also packed with beautiful photography of the many and diverse nations along these incredible routes. Covers a subject that is experiencing a new surge of global interest: the New Yorker recently published a portfolio on China's 'New Silk Road' in January 2018, stating that China is investing billions in building pathways to Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East, and ITV recently televised a documentary series on the Silk Roads featuring Joanna Lumley as the presenter.