The Silk Route: 7,000 Miles of History (Paperback)

~ John S. Major (Author), Stephen Fieser (Illustrator) "The Roman Empire has fallen..." (more)
Key Phrases: silk cloth, Silk Route, Central Asia

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 9-12
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (March 8, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064434680
• ISBN-13: 978-0064434683
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #77,150 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 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)

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.

6 of 7 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 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

2 of 2 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 (REAL NAME)

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.