From the Holy Mountain : A Journey in the Shadow of Byzantium

William Dalrymple's "From the Holy Mountain" weaves a tapestry of historical intrigue, spiritual exploration, and political tension, all seasoned with the author's signature dash of dark humour. This gripping narrative parallels two extraordinary journeys across the Byzantine realm, separated by nearly 1500 years.

In 587 AD, two intrepid monks, John Moschos and Sophronius the Sophist, embarked on an epic quest from the Bosphorus to Egypt's desert expanse. Their mission: to preserve the wisdom of Byzantine sages and mystics before the impending storm of Islam swept their world away. Fast forward to modern times, and Dalrymple, armed with Moschos' ancient writings, sets out to retrace their footsteps.

Dalrymple's odyssey unfolds against a backdrop of contemporary turmoil: civil unrest in Turkey, war-torn Beirut, simmering tensions in the West Bank, and the rise of fundamentalism in Egypt. The result is a poignant and thought-provoking elegy to the fading world of Eastern Christianity, masterfully blending past and present in a tale that is both timeless and urgently relevant.

Product Information:

Book ISBN:	9780006547747
Book Author:	William Dalrymple
Book Format:	Paperback / softback
Book Imprint:	Flamingo
Book Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Book Dimensions:	197 x 129 x 28 cm
Book Publication Date:	1998-05-05
Book Pagination:	512 pages, 24 b/w, 8 col plates (16pp)
Book Weight:	372g