17 Sep 2023

Richard Fidler on Baghdad during Islam’s Golden Age

From Smart Talk, 7:00 pm on 17 September 2023
BAGHDAD, IRAQ Murtadha Al-Sudani / Anadolu Agency (Photo by Murtadha Al-Sudani / ANADOLU AGENCY / Anadolu Agency via AFP)

Photo: 2022 Anadolu Agency

The Book of Roads and Kingdoms brings to life a dazzling culture of science, literature, philosophy and adventure arising out of the flourishing metropolis of Baghdad during Islam’s Golden Age. Australian writer/broadcaster Richard Fidler recounts how medieval Persian and Arab wanderers ventured by camel, horse and boat into the unknown, bringing back tales of wonder, horror and delight.

Ever curious, Fidler’s previous bestsellers have also delved entertainingly into the history of worldly places – The Golden Maze (Prague), Ghost Empire (Constantinople) and Saga Land (Iceland). The host of ABC’s Conversations – Australia’s most downloaded podcast – speaks with broadcaster Jack Tame about what he describes as a ‘crazy quilt atlas of a lost world’.

About the speaker

On the left is the cover got Richard Fidler's book 'The Book of Roads & Kingdoms. The words are printed in white on a mosaic background of Islamic geometric patterns. On the right is a portrait photograph of the authour.

Photo: Supplied

Richard Fidler

Richard Fidler is the popular presenter of Conversations with Richard Fidler on ABC Radio. He is the author of four acclaimed books blending travel and history: Ghost Empire (Constantinople), Saga Land (Iceland), The Golden Maze (Prague) and latest The Book of Roads & Kingdoms (imperial Baghdad).

This session is broadcast thanks to the generous help of the Auckland Writers Festival held in May 2023

Photo: Auckland Writers Festival