In this compact guide, the erudite and highly readable Francis Russell describes fifty-seven places in Syria, a country that for millennia has been close to the very pulse of what we term civilization. Following an itinerary that allows the independent sightseer to see as many major monuments in their proper contexts as is practical in a limited time, he travels from the walled city of Damascus with its mosques and museums to Krak des Chevaliers, the ne plus ultra of the medieval castle. On the way he visits cities, towns and desert villages, including Palmyra, one of the great classical sites of the Near East; the great monastery of St Simeon, at the heart of the series of 'dead cities' of Byzantine times; Hama and its famous nourias, the great wooden wheels used to raise water from the river; and many other wonders besides. Russell's easy and elegant ability to share with the reader his knowledge of Syria's history, geography and culture makes the book, like his earlier one on Italy, 'like a conversation with a well-informed friend. He tells you exactly what you want to know, in the most succinct terms' (Country Life).

Table of Contents:
Contents 1. Damascus 2. Ezraa 3. Bosra 4. Qanawat 5. Shahba 6. Shaqqa 7. The Ledja 8. Seidnaya; and Maalula 9. Deir Mar Mousa 10. Dumeir 11. The Way to Palmyra: Khan al-Manquora; the Harbaqa Dam; Qsar al-Heir al-Gharbi; and Khan al-Hallabat 12. Palmyra 13. Qasr al-Heir al Sharqi 14. Deir al-Zor 15. Qalaat Rahbba 16. Dura Europos 17. Mari 18. Baghuz 19. Halebiye; and Zalebiye 20. Raqqa 21. Resafa 22. Qalaat Jaber 23. Meskene 24. Qalaat Najim 25. Aleppo 26. Cyrrhus 27. Ain Dara 28. Qalaat Semaan: Saint Simeon 29. Deir Semaan; Sitt al-Rum; Qatura; and Refade 30. Kharrab Shams; Kallotto; and Barad 31. Baqirha; Bamuqqa; and Qalb Lozeh 32. Harim; Harench 33. Ebla 34. Jeradeh; and Ruweiha 35. Bara 36. Serjilla 37. Maarat al-Numan 38. Hama 39. Qasr Ibn Wardan 40. Anderin 41. Isriya 42. Masyaf 43. Shaizar 44. Apamea 45. Qalaat Burzey 46. Bakas; and Shughur 47. Qalaat Saladin; Saone 48. Ugarit 49. Jeble 50. Qalaat Marqab; Margat 51. Qalaat al-Kahf 52. Tartus; Tortosa 53. Arwad 54. Amrit 55. Qalaat Yahmur; and Safita: Chastel Rouge; and Chastel Blanc 56. Husn Suleiman 57. Qalaat al-Husn: Krak des Chevaliers Glossary People and Dynasties Chronology Index