The Oxus in Afghanistan's High Pamir is one of the greatest rivers of the world, and also one of the least known. Running through the core of Central Asia, it is unusual in a myriad of ways—the most surprising of which is that it never reaches the sea. Through the centuries, the majestic Oxus has been the source of legends. For explorers and travelers in Central Asia, the Oxus provided an enduring mystery—where exactly was its source? In 2008 Bill Colegrave and two colleagues set out to find the true source and settle the argument for once and all. No easy task, but they succeeded. This is a vivid account of this quest, and also tells of the author's previous precarious visits to one of the most unstable regions of the world. Bill Colegrave brings to life an extraordinary cast of characters—including those Victorian adventurers, soldiers, and statesmen who traveled before him, as well as his fellow explorers and guides on his own extraordinary adventure.
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