'An exemplary work of investigative journalism that is also a wonderfully colourful book of history and travel' Observer, Book of the Year 'A piece of postmodern historiography of quite extraordinary sophistication and ingenuity? [written with] exceptional delicacy and restraint' TLS
The story of the historical race to reach Timbuktu across the eighteenth century is addressed alongside the story of a contemporary fight to save its ancient manuscripts from destruction at the hands of Al Qaeda, conducted by a band of librarians and archivists. The author's stir-causing "Guardian" article on this story is expanded into an exciting account, also redressing misconceptions of eastern learning as more oral and less preciously documented.
