One of the oldest, most mysterious and fascinating cities in the world has found a worthy biographer: a rare event and one not to be missed
Sunday Times
One of the most subtly beautiful books about a city I have ever read
- Jan Morris,
Colin Thubron writes in a classical style of grave beauty, with an intense feeling for place and people
New York Times
From the earliest legend to the latest coup, <i>Mirror to Damascus</i> reflects every discoverable facet of the city... a quite exceptional travel writer
Daily Telegraph
One of the great merits of Mr Thubron's admirable book is that he balances this tribute to a place of which he is clearly very fond with the harsh facts of history... he was always moved by the best motives - curiosity and affection
The Times
Mr Thubron is a man of singular enterprise, and a writer of remarkable distinction. Surely Damascus was never sacked to better purpose
Observer
A passionate, enchanted and highly intellectual experience, both for author and reader
- Richard Church, Country Life