In 1877 Count Ferdinand von Richthofen described the overland routes from China to Europe used by the early traders and travel-lers as the 'Silk Road'. These camel caravan routes led from Ancient China to the Byzantine Empire of Rome.

Norma Martyn travelled this road through now forbidden places far from the tourist haunts. She takes us on her 10,000 kilo-metre journey from Inner China through India, Afghanistan, Turkestan into Iran and the other Islamic lands of the Middle East and on to the Soviet Union and the Mediterranean.

With a fine eye for detail, she describes the mystery of travel and the remarkable people and places she saw along the way.

Norma Martyn weaves her tale with history and folklore, so that not only does she take us along the modern and often difficult route, but she introduces us to the colour and life of the old road as well.