Overview

A Spectator Book of the Year 'Sweeping . . . Poetic . . . Not only readable but also vital' Literary Review 'A terrific storyteller' New York Times 'Exceptional . . . tender and beautifully written' Country Life The groundbreaking story of Nomadic peoples on the move across history. Tracing the epic paths of wanderers across twelve thousand years, acclaimed travel writer Anthony Sattin recovers the stories of tribes who lived beyond imperial borders and created their own kingdoms and empires: Scythian, Xiongnu, Persian, Hun, Arab, Mongul, Mughal, Ottoman and others. With their embrace of multiculturalism, respect for nature's rhythms, and need for free movement, wandering peoples brought a glorious cultural flourishing to Eurasia, enabling the Renaissance and changing the human story. This sweeping narrative reconnects us with our deepest mythology, our unrecorded antiquity and our natural world. Nomads is the untold history of civilisation, told through its outsiders.

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9781473677890

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Reviews

In a book of sensitivity and grace, Sattin does not just describe the nomadic way of life, but also evokes it . . . This is a book of beauty and beguiling rhythm that offers unsettling lessons about our present-day world of borders -- The Times Thoughtful, lyrical yet ambitiously panoramic . . . As fleet and light-footed as its subject, it takes us along a dizzying path, over many of the highest ridges of human history . . . An important, generous and beautifully-written book -- William Dalrymple, author of The Anarchy A fabulous piece of evocative writing, mixing personal stories with an epic sweep of history, the unique insight of location and an intimate connection to the subject. I loved it -- Jerry Brotton, author of A History of the World in Twelve Maps Anthony Sattin's Nomads spreads before us a sweeping panorama of nomadism that resonates through the past and echoes poignantly even in the present -- Colin Thubron, author of Shadow of the Silk Road I was riveted by the shifts to nomadic culture, Sapiens-like, and by the feeling of learning lightly worn and deftly transmitted. This is a major book -- Roland Philipps, author of A Spy Named Orphan I was riveted by the shifts to nomadic culture, Sapiens-like, and by the feeling of learning lightly worn and deftly transmitted. This is a major book -- Roland Philipps, author of A Spy Named Orphan The saga of the lost mobile cultures and empires that have impacted global history . . . a spirited defence of freedom of conscience, freedom of movement and migration, a romantic tribute to independence and to free spirit, and to being in tune with the rhythms of nature -- Marc David Baer, author of The Ottomans An incredible work combining brilliant scholarship with an epic, page-turning narrative . . . His landmark book -- Nicholas Crane

Author Information

Anthony Sattin has been described as one of the key influences on travel writing today. His highly acclaimed books include A Winter on the Nile and Young Lawrence. His award-winning journalism has appeared regularly in the Guardian, Observer, Sunday Times, FT, Daily Telegraph and publications around the world including Wall Street Journal, Al-Ahram and Al Jazeera. He is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, editorial advisor on Geographical Magazine and a contributing editor to Conde Nast Traveller.

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