This is a realtively short book textually, it's mostly a large collection of black and white photographs that Ryan Pyle has taken in Chinese Turkestan. Having read the book of his bike ride round China with his brother this book makes sense. It was clear from the Middle Kingdom Ride that Ryan was mesmerised by the clash of culture, tradition and modernity that Chinese Turkestan represents.

The pictures are all amazing, and what you get from them is the sheer variety of life in this region. You also get a harsh but beautiful landscape and a way of life that doesn't look like it has changed in centuries, with little glimpses of modernity, a moped, or an electric motor.

The only downside I had with it were that the double page spread pictures often have their effect spoiled by the fold. They are all great photographs, and it might have been better for fold-out pages for these photos, as the size does work. The facing page could then contain the descriptive text alongside the photo. This would make it easier to find the description.

One last point, make sure you read the introductory text, it puts the photos in some context and communicates the passion Ryan Pyle has for the area. Well worth a read.

PS I received a free reading copy to review.
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I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Ryan Pyle is well known around the world through his writing for newspapers and magazines and his wonderful photographs. In his book Chinese Turkestan he is able to capture the everyday life of the Chinese people, and give us a look at what few would ever be able to see.

There is a raw beauty as you look at the old buildings in contrast to the new construction. There is a lot of construction as old buildings are torn down to make better, earthquake resistant buildings. When looking at these photographs you often feel as if you have traveled back in time. There are horse drawn carts alongside old cars. There are large markets everywhere. Many in the markets sell items they have learned to make from previous generations, such as knives and other metalwork pieces. The people are predominantly Muslim. There are mosques everywhere. A lot of their customs are things we no longer allow in the United States, such as cock fights. This look at old and new gives us the impression that time runs slower there. As busy and bustling as things are, looking at the pictures creates the illusion that everything these people have not made a lot of forward progress. It is as if they are stuck in a simpler time, however it still seems as hectic as today.
This is a wonderful book. As I looked at the photographs I kept wondering what the people in them were thinking. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely read more by this author. ( )