Diana Darke

Europeans are in denial. Against a backdrop of Islamophobia, they are increasingly distancing themselves from their cultural debt to the Muslim world. But while the legacy of Islam and the Middle East is in danger of being airbrushed out of Western history, its traces can still be detected in some of Europe's most recognizable monuments, from Notre-Dame to St Paul's Cathedral. In this comprehensively illustrated book, Diana Darke sets out to redress the balance, revealing the Arab and Islamic roots of Europe's architectural heritage. She tracks the transmission of key innovations from the great capitals of Islam's early empires, Damascus and Baghdad, via Muslim Spain and Sicily into Europe. Medieval crusaders, pilgrims and merchants from Europe later encountered Arab Muslim culture in journeys to the Holy Land. In more recent centuries, that same route through modern-day Turkey connected Ottoman culture with the West, leading Sir Christopher Wren himself to believe that Gothic architecture should more rightly be called 'the Saracen style', because of its Islamic origins. Recovering this overlooked story within the West's long history of borrowing from the Islamic world, Darke sheds new light on Europe's buildings and offers rich insights into the possibilities of cultural exchange.

How Islamic Architecture Shaped Europe

Stealing from the Saracens

How did Syria's revolution lose its way? 'My House in Damascus' illuminates the darker recesses not just of Syria's history and politics, but also of its society and secrets. Diana Dark's firsthand experience of Syria's many diverse communities explains why Syria was always a special case and why the Assad regime was never likely to collapse.

An Inside View of the Syrian Revolution

My House in Damascus

An Inside View of the Syrian Crisis

كيف شكلت العمارة الاسلامية اوروبا

السرقة من المسلمين (الساراسن)

Ottomans

Alaa Aljaleel

A Remarkable True Story of Courage, Hope and Survival

Last Sanctuary in Aleppo

Sandra Shields

The modern coastal city of Muscat provides a gateway to scuba diving, dhow cruising and turtle watching, whilst the ancient inner regions provide ideal terrain to take a 4WD through wadis or desert. Some of the most luxurious hotels in the Middle East are in Oman, so this guide is suitable for up-market travellers and backpackers alike.

The Bradt Travel Guide

Oman

Oman is not merely a desert. While it has the classic sand seas - Wahiba Sands - home to the nomadic Bedouin and their camels, this sultanate also boasts lush monsoon-soaked valleys near Salalah, mountain villages surrounded by green terraced fields of fruit trees and rose bushes, and the reef-fringed Daymaniyat Islands. With such a varied wilderness there is huge scope for adventure.Tourism has developed over the last few years and there is an increased emphasis on high-end visitors, with new luxury spas in hotels like The Chedi, The Wave, and the Four Seasons in Muscat, and the new Marriott in Salalah. Large international cruise ships now call for a night or two at Muttrah/Muscat harbour and at Salalah in the south. Eco-awareness is on the rise, with many bigger hotels using waste water for garden irrigation and eco-luxe tents are growing in popularity for desert and mountain adventure tours. The first boutique hotels are opening for small-scale tourism to the uninhabited historic villages, particularly in the mountains, where the high altitude gives cooler climates and greener landscapes with village terracing for agriculture.Oman is increasingly perceived as a high-end cultural destination. The new Opera House has opened, directly supported by the Sultan, with top-notch international performers like Placido Domingo. New sections in this edition include advice on property buying, since Omani law changed to allow expatriates to buy, explaining the rules and regulations. There is also a detailed overview of language schools teaching Arabic, not found in other guides.With advice on cultural etiquette, basic Arabic phrases and political history - as well as full practical information on where to stay and eat, and what to see and do - this fully updated edition remains the essential guide for travellers looking to discover the real Oman.

"Barely literate, and supporting his mother and sisters from the age of ten, Abu Chaker built up a business empire--despite twice losing everything he had. Diana Darke follows his tumultuous journey, from instability in Syria and civil war in Lebanon, to his arrival in England in the 1970s, where he rescued a failing Yorkshire textile mill, Hield Bros, and transformed it into a global brand. The Merchant of Syria tells two parallel stories: the life of a cloth merchant and his resilience, and the rich history of a nation built on trade. Over millennia Syria has seen great conflict and turmoil, but like the remarkable story of Abu Chaker, it continues to survive."--Provided by publisher.

A History of Survival

The Merchant of Syria

A richly illustrated guide to the Ottoman Empire, 100 years since its dissolution, unravelling its complex cultural legacy and profound impact on Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. At its height, the Ottoman Empire spread from Yemen to the gates of Vienna. Western perceptions of the Ottomans have often been distorted by Orientalism, characterizing their rule as oppressive and destructive, while seeing their culture as exotic and incomprehensible. Based on a lifetimes experience of living and working across its former provinces, Diana Darke offers a unique overview of the Ottoman Empires cultural legacy one century after its dissolution. She uncovers a vibrant, sophisticated civilization that embraced both arts and sciences, whilst welcoming refugees from all ethnicities and religions, notably Christians and Jews. Darke celebrates the culture of the Ottoman Empire, from its aesthetics and architecture to its scientific and medical innovations, including the first vaccinations. She investigates the crucial role that commerce and trade played in supporting the empire and increasing its cultural reach, highlighting the significant role of women, as well as the diverse religious values, literary and musical traditions that proliferated through the empire. Beautifully illustrated with manuscripts, miniatures, paintings and photographs, The Ottomans: A Cultural Legacy presents the magnificent achievements of an empire that lasted over 600 years and encompassed Asian, European and African cultures, shedding new light on its complex legacy.

A Cultural Legacy

The Ottomans

Turquía

The only guide that unlocks the full mysteries of this little-known region of Turkey.

Eastern Turkey

Discovery Guide to Eastern Turkey and the Black Sea Coast

Syria

Against a backdrop of Islamophobia, Europeans are increasingly airbrushing from history their cultural debt to the Muslim world. But this legacy lives on in some of Europe's most recognizable buildings, from Notre-Dame Cathedral to the Houses of Parliament. This beautifully illustrated book reveals the Arab and Islamic roots of Europe's architectural heritage. Diana Darke traces ideas and styles from vibrant Middle Eastern centers like Damascus, Baghdad and Cairo, via Muslim Spain, Venice and Sicily into Europe. She describes how medieval crusaders, pilgrims and merchants encountered Arab Muslim culture on their way to the Holy Land; and explores more recent artistic interaction between Ottoman and Western cultures, including Sir Christopher Wren's inspirations in the "Saracen" style of Gothic architecture. Recovering this long yet overlooked history of architectural "borrowing," Stealing from the Saracens is a rich tale of cultural exchange, shedding new light on Europe's greatest landmarks.

Barely literate, and supporting his mother and sisters from the age of ten, Abu Chaker built up a business empire--despite twice losing everything he had. Diana Darke follows his tumultuous journey, from instability in Syria and civil war in Lebanon, to his arrival in England in the 1970s, where he rescued a failing Yorkshire textile mill, Hield Bros, and transformed it into a global brand. The Merchant of Syria tells two parallel stories: the life of a cloth merchant and his resilience, and the rich history of a nation built on trade. Over millennia Syria has seen great conflict and turmoil, but like the remarkable story of Abu Chaker, it continues to survive.

Kort tid før det syriske opprøret starter, kjøper britiske Diana Darke et verneverdig hus i gamlebyen i Damaskus. Gjennom huskjøpet får hun innsikt i hvordan regimet og det syriske byråkratiet fungerer, og hun blir fort en del av byens dagligliv. Når konflikten blusser opp og millioner av mennesker tvinges på flukt, forlater Diana landet. Hun tilbyr venner å bruke huset som tilfluktssted og gjennom dem følger hun krisen fra utsiden. Men da krigsprofitører angir henne til det hemmelige politiet og overtar huset hennes, reiser hun inn i Syria igjen for å kreve huset tilbake. Midtøstenspesialist Diana Darke viser leseren hva som ligger bak det forenklede nyhetsbildet. Hun gir et verdifullt innblikk i landets rike kultur og historie, og kaster lys over Syria-krisens kompleksitet. Men selv når konflikten herjer rundt henne, glemmer hun aldri sjarmen ved å bo i en av verdens eldste byer, og de nye vennskapsbåndene hun har knyttet. Huset i Damaskus er en medrivende og begivenhetsrik fortelling som gir et unikt, personlig og velinformert blikk på Syria, både før og etter konfliktens utbrudd. Diana Darke er utdannet i arabisk ved Oxford University, og har i løpet av de siste 35 årene etablert seg som en av Storbritannias ledende eksperter på Midtøsten. I tillegg til å være forfatter for flere bøker om Midtøsten har hun skrevet for bbc, The Sunday Times, The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph og The Financial Times. Darke har også arbeidet som oversetter og konsulent i flere arabisk-talende land, men har helt siden første gang hun besøkte Syria i 1978 hatt en særlig interesse for landet. Gjennom eierskapet til huset i Damaskus er hun stadig sterkt bundet til landet, og engasjerer seg aktivt for å hjelpe Syrias befolkning på vei mot en bedre fremtid.

En fortelling om Syria

Huset i Damaskus

North Cyprus's resorts, properties and facilities are growing rapidly. This new edition caters for travelers interested in exploring the ancient and modern culture of Cyprus, including the history behind the estrangement between the Turkish North and the Greek South, upon which a background is provided in the guide. The discovery of classical ruins, monasteries, churches and castles has been made even easier with the advent of greater cross-border traffic. Also worth a visit is the Karpas Peninsula, renowned for its turtle population and often referred to as the nature reserve of Cyprus.

North Cyprus

Murray Stewart

With development of North Cyprus's resorts, properties, and facilities growing rapidly, this new edition to the quieter, Turkish side of the divided island will be appreciated by tourists. Listings for specialist operators and updates on the range of restaurants, hotels, transport links and activities are included

Inc. Fodor's Travel Publications

Describes points of interest in each region of the country, and recommends hotels and restaurants

Diana Darke

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