The Last Secrets of the Silk Road: In the Footsteps of Marco Polo by Horse & Camel

by Alexandra Tolstoy

After graduating from the University of Edinburgh in the summer of 1996, Alexandra Tolstoy began working for an investment banking firm in New York and London, only to quit within a year. Like many twentysomethings, she longed to travel, to find adventure - and soon those longings found their outlet, when she learned that an acquaintance dreamed of riding the ancient Silk Road on horses and camels. Before long, a plan took to journey nearly five thousand miles through the desert, steppes, mountains, and forests of Central Asia and China.
In The Last Secrets of the Silk Road, Alexandra Tolstoy recounts the incredible sojourn she made with three companions in 1999 through some of the least-explored countries and areas of the Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgzstan, the Taklamakan Desert, and China. In lands associated with Genghis Khan, Marco Polo, Alexander the Great, Peter Fleming, and "The Great Game," Alexandra and Sophia ("Mouse") Cunningham, Victoria ("Wic") Westmacott, and Lucy Kelaart encountered extremes of climate and landscape, braved dangers, and found camaraderie and friendship, on an eight-month-long journey of a lifetime.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Asia, Adventure

224 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2003

About the author

Alexandra Tolstoy FRGS (born Countess Alexandra Tolstoy-Miloslavsky) is a British equine adventurer, broadcaster and businesswoman, a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

She has made several long distance journeys on horseback which have provided the material for television documentories, books and talks.

She is the daughter of Count Nikolai Tolstoy.

Reviews

[Libby · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmmmm, I wanted to like this book, I really did. It could have been so much more. I had a sense of unease throughout. The animals welfare bothered me greatly. No mention of even a basic supply of tried and tested veterinary drugs being carried. Setting off on both legs with grave doubts about the health of horses and camels leading to them being discarded or palmed off along the way...and the fighting, aaargh the fighting! Was it impossible to find geldings and save all that drama? Did the schoolgirl squabbling and infatuations have to be detailed?? It was a gruelling and emotional trip that very few of us would even contemplate and that they made it through does them great credit. Though I found myself with little sympathy as there did not seem to be much forethought or good planning that could have prevented many of their dramas...

[Rajiv Chopra · Rating 2 out of 5]

I absolutely admire the spirit, and the courage of the four young ladies who made this journey. This is exceptional. It also shows how important it is to get sponsors for such trips, and to plan well.

Having said that, the book was not the most interesting read. I did not get any insight into the places they visited, nor was there any real reference to Marco Polo through the book.

Hats off to them for the journey, but not a book I would recommend.

[Mwenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty epic journey, but not a well-written book.

[Beth Oehler]

I didn’t love this book and yet I was intrigued by the experiences shared and the author!!

[Frank Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read!!!

[Diana Cheal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the best written book and I’m only giving it 4* because what an adventure! Wow, how intrepid to do that.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A romance, horse adventure and study of a woman discovering herself and her history as she learns to love Asia. She tossed in a bit much regarding her personal angst, but all in all it was an entertaining jaunt.