Fort Morgan Public Library

Massood Farivar draws on his unique experience as a native Afghan, a former mujahideen fighter, and a longtime U.S. resident to provide unprecedented insight into the recent collision between Islam and the West.

Relates the story of the trade that developed between China and Europe, the sharing of science and inventions between the two areas, and the two great paths, the Silk and Spice Routes, that connected them.

"In 1871, five young girls were sent by the Japanese government to the United States. Their mission: learn Western ways and return to help nurture a new generation of enlightened men to lead Japan. Raised in traditional samurai households during the turmoil of civil war, three of these unusual ambassadors-- Sutematsu Yamakawa, Shige Nagai, and Ume Tsuda-- grew up as typical American schoolgirls. Upon their arrival in San Francisco they became celebrities,...

"J. P. Mallory and Victor Mair describe the discovery of the enigmatic mummies, and reveal the latest attempts of Chinese and Western scientists to explain their origin and ethnic identity. The book examines the clues left by physical remains; their economy, technology and textiles (some of the mummies even wore tartans); and the later traces of the languages of the Tarim region. The trail ultimately leads to two major contenders: the Indo-Iranians,...