The trip of excitement and danger, achieved in an Aston Martin and with a touch of James Bond-style panache, is a first-hand account of a journey of the future that is sure to be followed by millions of travellers and traders in the years to come.
But this is more than just an adventure story. It raises many profound questions about the 'unintended consequences' of the new Silk Road, and adds greatly to the globalisation debate which is of such importance to us all.
Flashback to a 12th century monk painstakingly crafting the world's first illustrated road atlas, and fast-forward to the future when traders and tourists from the East are making their way to Europe and the West in a car journey of comfort and speed.
It sounds like a time-traveller's tale of fantasy. But this is a real-life story.
Richard Meredith and co-driver Phil Colley, two adventure-loving Brits, road-tested a record-setting journey from Tokyo to London when they made the first-ever car crossing of the new Asian Highway.
And they did it in an Aston Martin V8 Vantage, personal transport of the company's CEO Dr Ulrich Bez.
Their trailblazing trip on a route that follows many of the Silk Roads of old, takes them from Japan through the wilds of China and the volatile states of Central Asia, before joining Europe's motorway network at Istanbul.
The Asian Highway, little-known as yet in the West, is one of the most important developments in road transportation for centuries. But while its purpose is to increase trade and eradicate poverty, there are serious warnings of modern-day hazards ahead.
Will it make life easier for gangs in the drugs and sex trade, people traffickers and illegal migrants? A conduit for the spread of disease? Another source of congestion and pollution?
The trip of excitement and danger, achieved in an Aston Martin and with a touch of James Bond-style panache, is a first-hand account of a journey of the future that is sure to be followed by millions of travellers and traders in the years to come.
But this is more than just an adventure story. It raises many profound questions about the 'unintended consequences' of the new Silk Road, and adds greatly to the globalisation debate which is of such importance to us all.
Flashback to a 12th century monk painstakingly crafting the world's first illustrated road atlas, and fast-forward to the future when traders and tourists from the East are making their way to Europe and the West in a car journey of comfort and speed.
It sounds like a time-traveller's tale of fantasy. But this is a real-life story.
Richard Meredith and co-driver Phil Colley, two adventure-loving Brits, road-tested a record-setting journey from Tokyo to London when they made the first-ever car crossing of the new Asian Highway.
And they did it in an Aston Martin V8 Vantage, personal transport of the company's CEO Dr Ulrich Bez.
Their trailblazing trip on a route that follows many of the Silk Roads of old, takes them from Japan through the wilds of China and the volatile states of Central Asia, before joining Europe's motorway network at Istanbul.
The Asian Highway, little-known as yet in the West, is one of the most important developments in road transportation for centuries. But while its purpose is to increase trade and eradicate poverty, there are serious warnings of modern-day hazards ahead.
Will it make life easier for gangs in the drugs and sex trade, people traffickers and illegal migrants? A conduit for the spread of disease? Another source of congestion and pollution?
Driven Together: Historic First Crossing of Asia's New Highway to the West
Driven Together: Historic First Crossing of Asia's New Highway to the West
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780954143244 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | MercuryBooks |
| Publication date: | 11/28/2008 |