To Katarina , Flora,Francis and Luke.

Note on transliteration -- Preface -- 1.The Creation of the Silk Road -- 2.The Road of faith -- 3.The road to ta Cristian East -- 4.The road to revolution -- 5.The Road to Concord -- 6.The Road to Furs -- 7.The Slave road -- 8.The Road to Heaven -- 9.The Road to Hell --10.The road of Death and Destruction -- 11.The Road of Gold -- 12.The Road of Silver -- 13.The Road to Northern Europe -- 14.The road to Empire -- 15.The Road to CFrisis -- 16.The Road to War -- 17.The road of Black Gold -- 18.The Road to Compromise -- 19.The Wheat Road -- 20.the Road to Genocide -- 21.The Road of Cold Walfare -- 22.The American Silk Road -- 23.The Road of Superpower Rivalry -- 24.The Road to Catastrope -- 25.The Road to Tragedy -- Conclusion:The New Sillk Road -- Notes -- Acknowledgements -- Index.