The Journey's Echo

In an age where the tourist has replaced the traveler, these essays, culled from over half a century of travel writing, transport us back to a time gone by. These selections have been made without any particular objective, except to illustrate Freya Stark's talent. Whether she's discussing the Middle East or following Alexander's path, her stories are rich not with people but with individuals -- men and women living their lives in patterns that reflect traditions and ceremonies now largely gone or forgotten. "The language is as beautiful as ever, the descriptions are sharp, the insights into men and places suddenly revealing." (The New York Times)