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Synopsis
The author recounts her adventures traveling alone in Syria in 1927 and visiting the hidden castle of local outlaws
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Review
First published in 1934, Freya Stark's classic tale of her travels through Persia has been reprinted once again and is just as much a gem now as when first published. At the age of 37, Stark shocked her fellow Brits by moving to Baghdad, befriending the locals, studying Arabic and the Koran, and then setting out on expeditions to remote and uncharted areas of the Islamic world by foot, donkey, camel, and car. With her fascination for secret Islamic societies, she resolved to travel to the former home of the Cult of the Assassins and to locate an ancient fortress described by Marco Polo. (The founder of the cult inspired his recruits to murder through the use of hashish, hence their name Hashishin, from which we get assassin.) There was only one problem: she couldn't find the valley on her map. Intrepid and indefatigable, she found a guide to lead her across the empty Persian plains and crested mountain ranges (Stark leaping like a mountain goat while her guide huffed behind) into the practically impregnable valley. There she found the castle ruins covered with wild tulips and surrounded by breathtaking views of the Elbruz Mountains. While there, Stark charted the first accurate maps of the region. Stark also used her charm and her understanding of Persian ways to infiltrate Luristan, a dangerous and forbidden place where she hunted for Neolithic bronzes (by persuading the chief of police to help her loot graves) and searched for buried treasure. The Lurs, a mountainous tribe, were infamous for murder and thievery, but she found them "as cheerful a lot of villains as you can wish to meet, and delighted with us for being, as they said, brave enough to come among them." The Lurs were consistently generous hosts, but thought nothing of raiding her luggage while she slept (stealing being their national pastime and hence nothing to get upset about). While Stark began as an obscure and idiosyncratic adventurer, she was ultimately backed by the Royal Geographic Society, was considered one of the best adventure writers of the century, and even was knighted by the queen of England. With her lively voice and natural perceptiveness she painted a picture of a fascinating world inhabited by charming bandits and armed tribesman now largely gone. While she did it for her own pleasure, in the end, the pleasure is ours. --Lesley Reed
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- PublisherTarcherPerigee
- Publication date1983
- ISBN 10 0874772613
- ISBN 13 9780874772616
- BindingPaperback
- LanguageEnglish
- Edition number1
- Number of pages365
- Rating
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The Valleys of the Assassins and other Persian Travels (Library of Travel Classics)
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The Valleys of the Assassins
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ISBN 10: 0874772613
ISBN 13: 9780874772616
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The Valleys of the Assassins and other Persian Travels (Library of Travel Classics)
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The Valleys of the Assassins and other Persian Travels (Library of Travel Classics)
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paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_417257574
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The Valleys of the Assassins, and Other Persian Travels (Library of Travel Classics)
Published by
J. P. Tarcher, Inc., U.S.A., 1983
ISBN 10: 0874772613
ISBN 13: 9780874772616
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Seller: ShiroBooks, Eureka, CA, U.S.A.
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Soft cover. Condition: Very Good Plus. No Jacket. 1st Edition. 1st Printing of the 1983 Tarcher Soft Cover1st Edition Thus. Book is straight, square, tightly bound (appearing never read, no creasing at the hinges or spine) and free of PO markings and other blemishes. Cover is clean, bright, with straight headband and tail, sharp corners, scratching and abrasions along the spine (does not affect lettering), small bump to bottom edge of front panel. and clear, crisp and bold lettering and artwork. (Please see Seller images). ISBN 0874772613. ShiroBooks, independent bookseller, prides itself in accurate descriptions, careful wrapping and safe shipping. CONTACT SHIROBOOKS PRIOR TO ORDERING if any questions or more information, details or photos. Seller Inventory # 001307
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THE VALLEYS OF THE ASSASSINS and Other Persian Travels.
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LA CA. 1983. J.P. Tarcher reprint of the 1934 edition / Library of Travel Classics series, 1983
ISBN 10: 0874772613
ISBN 13: 9780874772616
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Seller: Chris Fessler, Bookseller, Howell, MI, U.S.A.
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black & full color photo illustrated trade paperback soft cover 8vo. vg cond. binding square & tight. spine has reading creases. covers a little rubbed, couple of faint creases. edges have minor soiling, thin coffee type spot along top of first three leaves, otherwise contents free of markings. first printing (# 1 in # line) of this facsimile reprint of the 1934 edition. nice reading copy. clean text, good binding. no library markings, store stamps, stickers, bookplates, no names, inking , underlining, remainder markings etc ~. 365p. + about the author & "other books in this series". 4 b&w maps. index. middle east history. persian history. medieval history. islam. covert operations. secret societies. hasan i sabah. alamut castle of the assassins ~ Inspired by the tales of adventure in Arabian Nights, worldwide explorer Freya Stark set off for the Northwest coast of Syria in 1927. She was a woman alone in a country where few men dared to venture, in a culture governed by seldom~kept laws. By camel, horse, foot, and caravan, she crossed Iraq's desert, impassable mountain ranges, and the colorful cities of Baghdad, Larti, and Teheran to her final destination: the Throne of Solomon. Accompanied by the opium~entranced Keram Khan, one~eyed Alidad, quiltmaker Shah Riza, and the sullen Hajji, she sought out ancient castles, a buried treasure, and prehistoric graves in the Valleys of the Assassins, the hidden home of a Persian sect of murderers. Along the way, she befriended the philosophers, shahs, robbers, child~brides, and holy men who populate the countryside. Originally published in 1936, The Valleys of the Assassins is a remarkable travel odyssey. This is its first American publication. "This adventure that she has so magnificently recounted may be read with joy. A rare and delightful book." "At rare intervals a book of travel appears with the authentic stamp of a, classic permanence. Here is such a book. It will be just as good a hundred years from now as it is now." "About once in a century the small shores and moist airs of these islands produce a traveller of genius, whose spirit is drawn to deserts, and burning suns, and who has the rare gift of being able to interpret the experience. Such a one is Freya Stark.". Seller Inventory # 6072204
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THE VALLEY OF THE ASSASSINS and Other Persian Travels
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Soft cover. Condition: Fine. First Trade Paperback. FINE condition in NEAR FINE original black pictorial stiff paper wraps. CA. Tarcher. SOFTCOVER. 1983. FIRST AMERICAN TRADE PAPERBACK EDITION. AS NEW, square and tight, UNREAD, NO spine creasing. Light edge wear to covers. True adventure, Syria 1927. Illustrated. Stored in Archival sleeve. Seller Inventory # 002996
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The Valleys of the Assassins and other Persian Travels (Library of Travel Classics)
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The Valleys of the Assassins and other Persian Travels (Library of Travel Classics)
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