The Silk Route by John S Major

The Silk Route by John S Major

A fascinating and accessible historical picture book about commerce, trade, and cultural exchange, perfect for classroom use and research.

Silk has long been considered a symbol of wealth and luxury. But thousands of years ago, the production of silk cloth was one of China's most prized secrets. So how did silk become one of the most sought-after materials in the world?

With lavish illustrations and a highly informative text, The Silk Route traces the early history of the silk trade--from the mulberry groves of China to the marketplace in Byzantium--and explores how two of the world's greatest empires were brought together, forever opening the channels of commerce between East and West.

A treasure through the years, this book is perfect for the classroom and independent book reports.

John S. Major is the Senior Editor of the Book-of-the-Month Club, Inc. He previously taught Chinese and Japanese history at Dartmouth College and served as Director of the Asia Society's China Council from 1984 to 1986. He is a coauthor, along with Joseph Needham and others. author of The Land and People of China and creator of The Hall of Heavenly Records