'Tribes With Flags' is the gripping story of Charles Glass's dramatic journey through Greater Syria which provides background context to a troubled region once again in the headlines. Charles Glass began his journey through the former Arab nations of the Ottoman Empire by exploring farms, refugee camps and feudal palaces to capture the full spectrum of Levantine life. But his literary and spiritual ramble was abruptly interrupted when on 17 June 1987 he was kidnapped by Shi'a militants. What followed, 62 days later, was a daring escape that captivated the world's media. In this classic travelogue, the former ABC Middle East correspondent records an adventure which took him through Turkey, Syria, Israel, Jordan and the Lebanon. An honest, colourful and immediate tale of wanderlust and history, 'Tribes with Flags' is an essential back-story to our understanding of the complexity of the region, and the gripping testimony of one of the few hostages who has escaped its maelstrom to tell his tale. Re-issue of a classic travelogue exploring Syria 20 years ago to add context to the current troubles. A literary and spiritual ramble through the former lands of the Ottoman Empire, ending in kidnap and escape. An old-fashioned mixture of travel and history. A read for anyone interested in the current situation in the Middle East, current affairs / history market. A personal and colourful contribution to our understanding of Assad's Syria and the region.
