The Mountains of Rasselas

Spurred on by reading Dr Johnson's "Rasselas", which describes the fate of the royal princes of Abyssinia, Packenham decided, in 1953, to discover the truth of Johnson's tale. Nearly 40 years later, he retraced his steps to add historical insight and colour photographs to his story.

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A romantic book of history and travel, by a master storyteller who retraces his 1953 journey to discover the truth abour the strange fate of the Royal Princes of Abysinia. Spurred on by reading Dr Johnson's 18th century bestseller Rasselas which describes the strange fate of the Royal Princes of Abyssinia, who were condemned to be imprisoned in a mountain fortress until they died or the order of succession called them to the throne, Thomas Pakenham decided in 1953 to discover the truth of Johnson's tale. The book of his extroadinary journeys was published in 1959. Nearly 40 years later, the author, now an accomplished photographer, retraces his footsteps adding historical insight and new colour photography to his original story. The result is a magical book.