The Silk Route: 7,000 Miles of History [Paperback]

John S. Major (Author), Stephen Fieser (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Silk has long been considered a symbol of wealth and luxury. But thousands of years ago, the production of silk cloth was one of China's most prized secrets. So how did silk become one of the most sought-after materials in the world?

With lavish illustrations and a highly informative text, The Silk Route traces the early history of the silk trade-from the mulberry groves of China to the marketplace in Byzantium-and explores how two of the world's greatest empires were brought together, forever opening the channels of commerce between East and West.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This well-matched pair explores an unusual picture-book topic: the Silk Route, which ran from the Chinese city of Chang'an to the European capital of Byzantium during the Tang Dynasty (618-906). Major (The Land and People of China) guides readers through a stop-by-stop excursion, devoting each spread to a different city along the way and explaining its importance to the caravans' progress. He surveys the different cultures traversed, adding drama in the form of such obstacles as bandits and the arid Taklamakan desert ("Its name means 'if you go in, you won't come out'"). Brief discussions of each city's religion, industry and daily life supply historical context while explaining the Route's social and economic importance. With their impressive variety of subjects and perspectives, Fieser's (The Christmas Sky) illustrations convey the scope and sweep of this famous passage. From a river rushing through Afghanistan's Pamir mountains to a sprawling overview of Baghdad, his pictures vivify Major's meticulous descriptions. Children's BOMC alternate. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 4^-8. A history of the 7,000-mile trade route that developed between China and Byzantium for centuries is dramatized in a handsome picture book for older readers that combines a general overview with an account of one typical journey around A.D. 700. The paintings are filled with action, reflecting the diversity of places and cultures and people that were connected when the great silk trade flourished. The problem is that there's so much history to be explained that the narrative is dense and hard to read. A clear, colorful map does help, and the book has detailed notes at the back on everything from warfare to religion. This will get most use as curriculum support material in the middle grades. Hazel Rochman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (March 8, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064434680
• ISBN-13: 978-0064434683
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,135 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > Medieval
  • #5 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > Exploration & Discovery
  • #6 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > Asia

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars remarkable and informative, January 2, 2010

By 

M. Heiss (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Silk Route: 7,000 Miles of History (Paperback)

This is a large-format book, about 9 X 12, and the pages are packed with information.

Each page reflects a different culture with different customs, architectural styles, and ethnicities, moving from China east to Constantinople. The illustrations are well-drawn and offer a lot of information in their own right; the text is a wonderful look at cultural communication and long-distance travel.

The reading level is not difficult, but the interest level is vast -- 2nd grade to adult.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Silk Route, November 25, 2008

By 

Joan M. Bray (Carlsbad, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Silk Route: 7,000 Miles of History (Paperback)

This is a truly wonderful book that helps children understand an important part of the history of China. The book has a map of the road the caravan travels, describes the major stops along the way, and explains the difficulties and hardships these travellers encountered. I especially enjoyed the description of the topography the caravan crosses, as I believe it gives children a great mental picture for them to understand the great diversity of geography in China.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Teaching Aid, April 18, 2008

By 

Greg Sell (Gainesville, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Silk Route: 7,000 Miles of History (Paperback)

This book was included in a Maryland Department of Education lesson plan for teaching the Silk Road. I purchased the book for this purpose and is correlated very well to the lesson plan. Excellent artwork. Valuable content. A good geography storybook