Synopses & Reviews
Every Persian carpet has a story to tell -- from the remote villages of Afghanistan and Iran, down the ancient trade routes traveled for centuries, to the bazaars of Tehran and the markets of the Western world. Carpet-making is one of this tumultuous region's few constants, an art form that transcends religious and political turmoil. Part travelogue and part exploration into the meaning and worth of these mystical artifacts, andlt;iandgt;The Root of Wild Madderandlt;/iandgt; presents practical information about carpets while exploring the artistic, religious, and cultural complexities of these enigmatic lands.
Review
"A book full of passion...Brian Murphy's excitement about rugs sweeps you away."andlt;BRandgt; -- Mark Kurlansky, author of andlt;iandgt;Salt: A World Historyandlt;/iandgt; and andlt;iandgt;Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the Worldandlt;/iandgt;
Review
"A superb example of the 'Holy Grail' travel book."andlt;BRandgt; -- Catherine Watson, andlt;iandgt;Minneapolis Star-Tribuneandlt;/iandgt;
Review
"As richly textured, tightly woven, and colorful as the subject itself, this is a must for anyone who treasures -- or even walks on -- fine carpets."
-- Mort Rosenblum, author of Chocolate: A Bittersweet Saga of Dark and Light
Review
"A travelogue in the best nineteenth-century tradition.... Readers are treated to a precarious ride."andlt;BRandgt; -- Linda Hales, andlt;iandgt;The Washington Postandlt;/iandgt;
Review
"Best book to tide you over when you're done with the morning paper."andlt;BRandgt; -- andlt;iandgt;Chicago Tribuneandlt;/iandgt;
Synopsis
Told in exquisite prose befitting one of the world's loveliest art forms, Brian Murphy eloquently chronicles how carpets embody humanity's endless striving for unattainable perfection. Every Persian carpet has a story to tell--from the remote villages of Afghanistan and Iran, down the ancient trade routes traveled for centuries, to the bazaars of Tehran and the markets of the Western world.
Carpet-making is one of this tumultuous region's few constants, an art form that transcends religious and political turmoil. Part travelogue and part exploration into the meaning and worth of these mystical artifacts, The Root of Wild Madder presents practical information about carpets while exploring the artistic, religious, and cultural complexities of these enigmatic lands.
About the Author
andlt;Bandgt;Brian Murphyandlt;/Bandgt; is the author of andlt;Iandgt;The New Men: Inside the Vatican's Elite School for American Priests.andlt;/Iandgt; A foreign correspondent for the Associated Press since 1993, and the AP's international religion writer since 2004, he lives in Athens, Greece.