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The Golden Road

How Ancient India Transformed the World

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The Golden Road

By: William Dalrymple
Narrated by: William Dalrymple
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About this listen

Bloomsbury presents The Golden Road written and read by William Dalrymple.

THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
A Waterstones and TIMES HISTORY BOOK OF THE YEAR
A SPECTATOR and History Today BOOK OF THE YEAR

A revolutionary new history of the diffusion of Indian ideas, from the award-winning, bestselling author and co-host of the chart-topping Empire podcast

‘Richly woven, highly readable ... Written with passion and verve’ Spectator
‘Dazzling ... Not just a historical study but also a love letter’ Guardian
‘An outstanding new account ... The most compelling retelling we have had for generations’ Financial Times

India is the forgotten heart of the ancient world.

In the millennium and a half from c. 250 BC to 1200 AD, Indian art, religion, technology, astronomy, music, dance, literature, mathematics and mythology blazed a trail across the world – a Golden Road that stretched from the Red Sea to the Pacific.

Here, William Dalrymple draws from a lifetime of scholarship to highlight India’s oft-forgotten position as the heart of ancient Eurasia. For the first time, he gives a name to this spread of Indian ideas that transformed the culture and technology of not only its ancient world, but of the world as we know it today.

©2024 William Dalrymple (P)2024 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Ancient Asia India South Asia Southeast Asia Ancient History Middle Ages China Imperialism Middle East Nepal Ancient Greece

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All stars
Most relevant  
I had no idea of the central historical importance of India and so found the account given here a re eye-opener. The text was full of detail which, in all honesty, went past me - nonetheless, the story and presentation carried me along to the end. A great ‘read’!

A wonderful account!

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I am tempted immediately to start again at the beginning. Completely fascinating story of the history and influence on the rest of the world of India. Beautifully, clearly and enthusiastically read by the author. Superb.

Captivating and engrossing

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Excellent. The depth of research stands out. When other authors talk about the Silk Road, they focus on what they know. No new research and ignore research that may exist for a European focused perspective.

This books is expansive and extensively researched in time and geography. Well done.

Depth of research stands out.

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this book is packed with delightful threads of history woven into a tapestry of the flow of beliefs, ideas, art, gold and civilization. if you want to know how we got here and why we should thank India and in particular the Buddha, then read or better still read and listen to this book.

a delightful revelation

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If you are like me, and are super fascinated by Asian, and Indian history you definatley need to pick up this book. William Darlymple read with such passion, and enthusiasm you can tell he loves Indian History.

A MUST READ!

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I'm not normally interested in history but this is absolutely fascinating and extremely well written. The narration is absolutely superb too. First book I've ever been inspired to review!

Outstanding.

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I chose this book because I was excited to learn about the long and rich history of India, but over half way through I’ve realised that I’ve spent barely any time there - instead it’s been about how India/Indians have travelled and traded and shared their culture and religion around a very wide proportion of the world…and while I have a clear idea of the religion, because that’s the mechanic used here, I honestly have no idea about the cultures, nor do I have much of an idea of what was going on in India. More over, one character he has given a lot of attention to, the Empress Wu Zetian of China, I happen to know a bit about…and he hasn’t quite got the right of it, starting by saying that all the surviving texts loathe her he then simply repeats that misogyny coloured discourse without discussion, and there is plenty of discussion and nuance there. So reluctantly I’m giving up , at least for for the moment.

May be I misunderstood the brief

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Another brilliant book by William Dalrymple - fantastic exploration with usual excellent research. a must read and has encouraged me to explore The Golden Road further!

Excellent exploration of the roots of civilisation in India

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A book that, for me ,connected in a brilliantly coherent way so many strands of the history and geography of India and the world. The reading was as good as it gets.
I was sent to the internet to look up old maps and pictures of stunning architectural remains. There's a magnificent TV series I've just imagined to be made.

Brilliant Account

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The wonder, the passion and the well researched educational info - a great companion to the book and plates.

The wonder

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