Geordie Torr – författare

Take an intrepid journey through the history of the Silk Roads with this brilliant reference book. Traversing snowy mountain passes, vast, forbidding deserts and stormy seas, these ancient trade routes were about much more than the movement of goods, they paved the way for an unprecedented period of cultural exchange, diplomacy and conflict creating a legacy that continues to affect global geopolitics in the 21st century.Forged over millennia through a desire for enterprise, the Silk Roads have had an profound influence on Eurasia and beyond, connecting cultures, languages, customs and religions. And with China now working to reopen this ancient trade network, the time is right to shine a new light on its history and impact. This edition has been updated with an expanded chapter on China''s efforts to reopen this ancient trade network through the Belt and Road Initiative and the many impacts it has had along the way, from its ambitious infrastructure projects to new cities emerging along its route to the growth of a digital silk road, Geordie Torr examines the profound impacts of the revival of the world''s greatest trading route.With helpful timelines and useful information boxes, The Silk Roads gives you everything you need to master the history of this world-changing region.

From icy polar tundra to lush tropical rainforests, readers can explore the wonders of the planet we call home in this spectacular visual guide.This beautiful jacketed hardcover introduces the many landscapes and systems that make up Planet Earth, from its molten core and plate tectonics to the different landscapes which make up its surface. Readers can explore the Amazon basin, taiga forests across the frozen wastes of Siberia and vast deserts on almost every continent.Includes:• Land: volcanoes, glaciers, caves, wetlands...• Air: the geomagnetic field, weather, the auroras...• Sea: tides, coral reefs, fjords...The text is brought to life by superb full-color photos, charts, maps and infographics to reveal the planet in all its splendor. A fascinating guide to the world which can be enjoyed by the whole family.ABOUT THE SERIES: Arcturus'' Discovering... series brings together spectacular hardback guides which explore the science behind our world, brought to life by eye-catching photography.

For millennia, the silk roads have been the arteries of international trade. Today, these ancient routes still play a key role. Over the ages, the passages across the region have shifted and evolved due to changing political circumstances, environmental forces, and the prevalence of deadly illness. Despite this, the ceaseless flow of goods and culture between East and West has continued unabated.Taking us back to the origins of these enduring networks, Geordie Torr describes the beginnings of early trade, the ancient cultures that breathed life into these routes, and the mighty dynasties which rose to exert control before fading into the sands of time. The trade that took place along these roads led to exchanges in art, culture, and technology; as the delicate silks woven by the Chinese and Indians arrived in Europe, so wool, gold, and silverware travelled back to the Orient, while innovations in sea travel allowed the maritime routes to thrive.The stories of the first intrepid travellers who left behind the safety of their homelands to risk their lives in alien lands are scattered throughout the pages and highlight the basic human compulsion to explore.Featuring stunning photography that celebrates the natural beauty of the routes alongside artworks illustrating the incredible skill of craftsmen through the ages, The Silk Roads distils thousands of years of history into an accessible and fascinating tale.

Shrouded in myth and conspiracy, the history of the Knights Templar is little understood. Geordie Torr pulls fact from fiction, revealing the astonishing tale of this military-religious order that dominated the politics of the medieval Middle East. Initially created to protect Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land in the wake of the First Crusade, the Templars soon became an institution of incredible power, possessing wealth and influence throughout the courts of Europe. Yet just two centuries later they dramatically fell as its members were accused of heresy and burned at the stake. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the wars between Christians and Muslims, this illustrated book brings to life the legacy of this secretive order and the characters who defined the era.