Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva : three great Central

Asian cities which arouse our wonder by the

originality and sheer power of their mythic

silhouettes. Here Pierre Chuvin delves into the

vibrant artistic and architectural heritage of this

once forbidden land, with photographs by Gérard

Degeorge demonstrating a rich and varied past,

and reinstating the region's Islamic art within the

chaos of world history. The insightful historical

voyage begins over two thousand years ago when

Alexander the Great approached the city walls of

Samarkand and was stunned by its invincible size

and beauty. It recounts how merchants on the Silk

Road and warring armies, headed by the likes of

Gengis Kahn and Tamerlane, continued to cross

paths for centuries in this region. Unceasing rivalries

spurred these different parties to create ever more

spectacular buildings, gardens, and mosques.

This book attempts to make these silent places,

with their dazzling livery of turquoise ceramic,

echo once more with the sounds of the men that

created and peopled them, and bears witness to

the cultural legacy of a vibrant civilization.