An amateur historian's favorite books about the Silk Road • Hacker News Board

Re: An amateur historian's favorite books about the Silk Road

#31

Post by bwb » Thu, Apr 23, 2026, 5:40 PM UTC

timdiggerm wrote: post #19

This list is just a promo blog post for the author's book

Just to note, I made the site to interview authors and get their 5 favorite books on something they are passionate about. And I promote their book alongside the list to help them bump into readers. Authors generally just want to share something they are passionate about; it isn't about money, as nobody is writing a book to make money.

It is a great way to meet books, I think :)

And has been fun to build!

Re: An amateur historian's favorite books about the Silk Road

#32

Post by contingencies » Thu, Apr 23, 2026, 5:49 PM UTC

Life Along the Silk Road, Susan Whitfield. (read twice)

Through the Jade Gate to Rome, John E. Hill. (browsed)

The Silk Road: A New History, Valerie Hansen. (yet to buy but looks awesome)

Re: An amateur historian's favorite books about the Silk Road

#33

Post by EdwardDiego » Fri, Apr 24, 2026, 3:36 AM UTC

Mainan_Tagonist wrote: post #15

Tim Severin is referenced in the list, so i would suggest as an addition Tracking Marco Polo by the very same author, a fun read indeed. From Goodreads: Tim Severin took up the challenge offered from antiquity by Marco Polo. Using the great explorer's journals as a route guide, Severin followed him all the way from Venice to Afghanistan - on a motorbike. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1735662.Tracking_Marco_P...

I loved his Brendan voyage, bloody ballsy buggering off to sea across the North Atlantic in a leather boat.

Re: An amateur historian's favorite books about the Silk Road

#34

Post by cheaprentalyeti » Sat, Apr 25, 2026, 4:31 PM UTC

ownlife wrote: post #23

Insanity wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I fail to see why that devalues this list of books. It's not like he's _only_ listing his own book.

Arguably, it devalues this list of books because it calls into question its credibility and its author's seriousness.

You mean you've _never_ bought a book for its bibliography?