Cleopatra's Wedding Present: Travels through Syria

Adopting the "Tristram Shandy" approach to travel writing, Robert Tewdwr Moss reveals Syria to be a part of the world on the cusp of change. He considers the impact of Orientalism on East-West relations and looks at the status of minority groups.

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Adopting the "Tristram Shandy" approach to travel writing, Robert Tewdwr Moss weaves together travellers' stories - including two love affairs - and cultural reflections about aspects of Syrian history. He considers the impact of Orientalism - with its over-romanticizing of life in the Arab world by westerners - on present day East-West relations. He describes some of the extraordinary works of art, some of which have been turfed up during road repairs. He also looks at the status of minority groups and visits the site of the Armenian massacre. He reveals a part of the world on the cusp of change.