Jeffrey Tayler Book order

A unique combination of travelogue, current affairs, and history showing how Russia's dimensions have shaped its identity and culture through the decades.

The journey along the Lena River spans 2,400 miles, echoing a historic expedition by Cossack forces over three centuries ago. Jeffrey Tayler embarks on this adventure in a custom-built boat, seeking the untouched beauty of nature while escaping the pervasive corruption and violence of contemporary Russian society. His exploration highlights the contrasts between the pristine landscapes and the tumultuous cultural backdrop of modern Russia.

Beset by ethnic rebellion and sectarian violence, few areas of the world are as isolated and little travelled as the Sahel, the expanse of the badlands and semi-desert forming the southern coast of the Saharan sand sea. Nonetheless, Chad, northern Nigeria, Niger, Mali and Senigal once fostered some of Africa's wealthiest and most exotic kingdoms and empires, and to this day produce some of the continent's leading writers, musicians and artists. The predominantly Muslim faith of the region makes the Sahel a cultural as well as geographic designation. Timbuktu, the cities along the Niger River, and the Hausa emirates once thrived on trans-Saharan trade, and accepted Islam from Arabs who came as both merchants and conquerers. Jeffrey Taylor travels 2,500 miles across the Sahel by truck, taxi, bus and boat to present a personal account of one of Africa's least- known regions - that of Muslim Africa.

Jeffrey Tayler describes his journey through the Moroccan Sahara on camel and foot, describing extremely harsh conditions because of unprecedented drought, and offering a glimpse into the Arab world.

Outstanding travel narrative about a journey up the Congo river: superbly evocative writing in the tradition of Paul Theroux and Bruce Chatwin