The Tigris Expedition: In Search of Our Beginnings

by Thor Heyerdahl

Book Overview

Along with his companions from nine nations, Heyerdahl set sail in a boat made of reeds in search of the sea routes which he was sure must have been used by the Sumerians in vessels like his own, 5000... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385173571
• ISBN13: 9780385173575
• Release Date: January 1981
• Publisher: Doubleday Books
• Length: 349 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.

Customer Reviews

I feel sorry for anyone who has not read this book.

It isn't a novel. It is a straight forward - almost dear diary like - account of a planned and executed scientific project. Given who was planning it, Heyerdahl, and who was funding it (Nat Geo) what could go wrong? Ha! You know, if only everybody had read this book BEFORE Iraq became a household word. Nothing of what is going on there now would be a surprise. That aside, the glimpse of the past you are treated to, by proxy, is simply mind bending. If you think you have a good grasp on ancient history, be ready to gasp. So many insights and surprises - and suspense. Wow. I bought several copies as I can't think of a better source of entertainment to give as a gift than reality on the edge.

Heyerdahl at it again!!!

The Tigris Expedition follows the journey of Thor Heyerdahl and ten other men in 1978 and their quest to link the early advanced civilizations of the Middle East - Mesopotamia (Iraq), Egypt, and the Indus Valley (Pakistan). This book follows the crews' adventures through the building of their reed boat in Iraq, their journey into the Persian Gulf, and onward to Pakistan and Africa. What a wonderful and personal glimpse we get of the nations of Iraq, Oman, Bahrain, Pakistan and Djibouti. Often, we hear of these places and associate only the evils of terrorism and war with them, but through this book, we can see the warmth and genuineness of the peoples of these countries. Sailing under the flag of the United Nations, the Tigris Expedition not only wanted to prove scientific facts about ancient man and the ability to sail the high seas on boats made of reeds, but Heyerdahl and company wanted to demonstrate the ability of people of many nations to live and work together in peace. After five months at sea, they easily proved this. If you have a love of adventure, a love of the sea, a love of history and the past and the future, this book is for you. If you want to know more about the early peoples of our world, this book is for you. If you want to see that people in the Middle East are people just like those not in the Middle East, this book is for you. Heyerdahl is a master storyteller and a master of adventure. Enjoy!