We think of globalisation as a uniquely modern phenomenon; yet 2,000 years ago too, it was a fact of life, one that presented opportunities, created problems and prompted technological advance.
From The Silk Roads; A New History of the World, by Peter Frankopan
Throughout my childhood years I read books about the Tartars, the Mongols, and the Silk Road, which sparked my imagination. I wish I remembered those titles so I could reread them and see how they would affect me today. But alas, I don’t and I have to do with but faint memories.
Fortunately, the world of talented authors has continued writing and today there is a wealth of books on the subject.
Here are among the books about Central Asia that we find fascinating reads.
Books about our Favorite Travel Destinations
1. Non-Fiction
The Great Game: On Secret Service in High Asia, by Peter Hopkirk
A book I read in one go. What a story, what a history, what a fascinating tales and it helps to understand some of the present political situations as well.
The Silk Roads: A New History of the World , by Peter Frankopan
The best way to dive straight and deep into the history of the Silk Road. A simple ‘must read’ when traveling on the Silk Road!
Restless Valley, revolution, murder and intrigue in the heart of Central Asia, by Philip Shishkin
No easy read, but giving a good (better) understanding of reasons for unrest in Central Asia, particularly the Ferghana Valley.
Setting the East Ablaze, by Peter Hopkirk
I just love all of Peter Hopkirk’s books because they give such great insight into the history of the region, and in this particular case the Bolshevik’s attempts to get hold of Central Asia.
Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World, by Jack Weatherford
I was fascinated by this book. Having grown up with the image of Genghis Khan being nothing but a conqueror and a brute, I was taught very much a one-sided version of this ruler and his empire. The cultural anthropologist and author Jack Weatherford studied the Mongol history for years and has lived in Mongolia for a number of years, all contributing to a concise yet detailed and very readable account of the Mongol history and the consequences of this empire for the world.
The Secret History of the Mongol Queens: How the Daughters of Genghis Khan Rescued His Empire, by Jack Weatherford
The author touches on the subject in his book Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World, but he then dedicated a book to the Mongol Queens. With the men off to battle in distant lands, the women were left behind and ruled the empire. I found it more fragmented and harder to read than his book on Genghis Khan, but I appreciate how he dedicated a book to a topic that is severely underrated throughout history and therefore more than worth a read.
Genghis Khan and the Quest for God: How the World’s Greatest Conqueror Gave Us Religious Freedom, by Jack Weatherford
The latest in the series, which has captivated right now. Imagine having religious freedom in the 13th century, what a difference with the Christian and the Islamic world in those days.
The Horde: How the Mongols Changed the World, by Marie Faverau
Published in 2021, I think this is an interesting addition to the above-mentioned books to learn about the Mongolian conquest and what implications that had.
Karakorum the history and the legacy of the Mongol Empire’s Capital, by Charles River Editors
A Concise read about the Mongol Empire’s capital of Karakorum, the ruins of which lie some 200 miles west of Ulaanbaatar as well as the remainders of the previous civilizations of the Turkic and Uyghur people who lived here.
2. Travel Memoirs
On the Trail of Genghis Khan, by Tim Cope
I loved this book and couldn’t put it down. By horse from Mongolia all the way to the Danube River in Hungary? That certainly got my attention. Expecting to need less than a year, he took 3,5 years. I predict this book is going to be a classic. A detailed account of his journey including all its struggles of survival (winter in Central Asia!) Tim also details into great account what ethnic groups he comes across, giving you insight into the wide variety of, often marginalized, groups of people live in Asia.
Red Sands: Reportage and Recipes Through Central Asia, from Hinterland to Heartland, by Caroline Eden
One of my favorite travel books about Central Asia. She knows the region well, stays will local people and focuses on the traditions and cultures of food.
A Carpet ride to Khiva, by Chris Aslan Alexander
Another of my favorites. It’s not really a travel memoir but rather the account of the author living in Khiva and helping to revive the traditional arts of making carpets, giving a fantastic insight into the Uzbek way of life.
Off The Rails: 10,000 km by Bicycle across Russia, Siberia and Mongolia to China, by Tim Cope and Chris Hatherly
Before the above-mentioned journey on horseback, Tim Cope cycled through Russia, Mongolia and China on a recumbent bike, with his friend Chris Hatherly. Having written the book together, alternating chapters written by one or the other, this is a very different read. The journey demands respect in itself, cycling across these vast expanses of wilderness and emptiness. Doing it with a friend clearly had its pros and cons, and they are very honest about the struggles they faced.
Under the Flight Path: 15,000 kms Overland Across Russia, Mongolia & China, by Simon Pridmore
Another good read for the adventurous (armchair) traveler.
The Horse Boy: A Father’s Quest to Heal His Son, by Rupert Isaacson.
Arguably better known by the movie, this is an incredibly touching tale about how Rupert and his wife Kristin take their autistic son Rowan to Mongolia in the hope that the shamans can help him to get better.
Equally inspiring is part 2 of this book about what happened next: The Long Ride Home: The Extraordinary Journey of Healing That Changed a Child’s Life.
Par les sentiers de la soie (French Edition), by Philippe Valéry
Recommended to me by a Landcruising Adventure follower, this sounds like an epic journey: 2 years and 10,000 kilometers on foot to follow Marco Polo’s journey from Venice to Kashgar. Too bad for us that the book is only available in French, but I thought French followers might appreciate this, hence I added it to this list.
3. Fiction
Silk Road: A haunting story of adventure, romance and courage, by Colin Falconer
I had to bite through the first couple of chapters, thinking it was a too-easy-of-a-plot story. It particularly got my attention when I realized it covered a lot of the geographical area I had just learned about in the above-mentioned Genghis Khan book by Jack Weatherspoon.
As I got deeper into the book it gripped me and had me captured till the end. While fiction, the story does give insight into the enormous distance between Christianity and the religions of Central Asia.
4. Travel Guides
We always try to find 2 guidebooks for each country, on in Dutch and one in English. Ala, Central-Asia & Mongolia aren’t that popular yet, so the selection is limited. Having said that, there are a number of guidebooks worth buying.
Simply put, the Lonely Planet Guidebooks are good on lots of practical info such as accommodation, how to get there, where to eat, etc. The ones we bought:
Insight Guides are perfect to really get warmed up for a destination as it’s full of colorful photos, giving a sense of the place rather than it being packed with loads of practical addresses like Lonely Planet. We used:
Bradt Guides focuses on destinations less traveled, and includes community based tourism, eco tourism, sustainable tourism, etc (where relevant, obviously). Unsurprisingly, Bradt Guides had dedicated books to all Stan countries:
- Bradt Travel Guide Mongolia
- Bradt Travel Guide Kazakhstan
- Bradt Travel Guide Kyrgyzstan
- Bradt Travel Guide Uzbekistan
- Bradt Travel Guide Tajikistan
- Bradt Travel Guide Turkmenistan
A general note: many of them are a bit outdated, and nothing got published during the covid years. I expect / hope there will be updates in the coming year(s), so make sure you buy the latest edition.
Bradt Travel Guides for Central-Asia & Mongolia
(click on the images to look inside)
Products from Amazon
Bradt Travel Guides for Central-Asia
(click on the images to look inside)
Products from Amazon
Travel Guidebooks for Central-Asia & Mongolia
(click on the images to look inside)
Products from Amazon
5. NEW – Overland Guidebook on Kyrgyzstan
Oun Travela is working hard on making a wonderful series of overland guidebooks designed for, yes, overlanders. Check out their website for more overland travel guidebooks! Here’s EXPLORE KYRGYZSTAN.
Tips, Suggestions, Feedback?
Interested in more books about Central Asia, the Silk Road and/or Mongolia? Check out this list.
Do you have suggestions on books about Central Asia or the Silk Route that I should add to my list? I’d love to hear them. Feel free to share them in the comment section below or send me an email. Thanks!
Originally published August 2019 / updated January 2024
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My list comment wouldn’t post, so this is a test.
this works.
Those Genghis Khan themed books look awesome Karin-Marijke. Goodness knows he fascinates the heck out of me. For all folks know of him, history knows little too. A mysterious time in a mysterious land.
Great selection of books. I’ve read some and will put others on my list.
Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World, by Jack Weatherford Great. great, great.
On the Trail of Genghis Khan, by Tim Cope All I can say is ‘No comment.”
Off The Rails: 10,000 km by Bicycle across Russia, Siberia and Mongolia to China, by Tim Cope and Chris Hatherly Enjoyable read.
I’ll put The Secret History of the Mongol Queens: How the Daughters of Genghis Khan Rescued His Empire, by Jack Weatherford on my list.
What I really want on my list is a book by you. The book could even be a collection of the articles you’ve posted on your website.
I like your old Land Cruiser. I had a 1970 F55 wagon. Sometimes I’m sorry I sold it. Then I remember the rust. The wagon wasn’t my home so I got tired of doing repairs. I sometimes miss it, until I remember the door falling off in my hand and the floorboard giving way under my feet. Even with all it’s rust problems, that old F55 was fun to drive and got me into some ruff places.
Hey there,
Thanks for this. Much appreciated.
Why the ‘no comment’ about Tim Cope’s book, if I may ask? Good/not good?
My first book is in the making, although it gets delayed constantly because we’re too much on the road 🙂
But it will get there, hopefully this year!
Thanks for your kind words!
What stops you from buying another old Land Cruiser?
As on comments not showing: I think that maybe you don’t realize that each comment first needs to be approved by us before it shows below the article? A necessity because of spammers… And we’re offline quite a bit here in remote Mongolia hence our approving takes more time than usual. I hope this clarifies it…
Glad you are working on a book. I have one, or rather half of one, as I coauthored a camping directory book. Didn’t sell very well. 🙂 I do have three others that I should be “working” on, but I’ve slowed down and have mostly retired.
What stops me from buying another Land Cruiser? We don’t do as much “off-road” as we used to do to warrant the high cost of US Land Cruisers. We are considering a 4Runner. Our full size Chevy 4×4 truck is too big for our needs and Barb hates to drive it. The truck is going to go up to the family ranch in the Black Hills of South Dakota/Wyoming.
Hi,
Please take a look at my book – “Silk Road Traveller by John Brenson.”
There’s one or two others I could recommend but thought I’d hit you with mine first!
It’s available on Amazon, and other sites (so unfortunately you can probably read half of it without purchase!)
Be good to here your comments!
Kind regards – John
Thanks for sharing, John. I just checked it out but it’s available only in paperback, isn’t it?
Hi Karin-Marijke,
Thanks for your interest! Yes, at the moment I only have it on paperback. Presumably you are thinking about kindle, as I can’t imagine you would prefer a hardback!
It is a thought, though, as I’ve had a few people suggest that recently.
Correct.