Using food as the jumping-off point to explore the vast heartland of Asia, the author of Black Sea navigates a course from the shores of the Caspian Sea to the sun-ripened orchards of the Fergana Valley. Whether describing landscapes, the inhabitants of these far-flung lands, or their distinctive cuisines, Caroline Eden is a first-rate writer, and her multi-faceted travelogue is rounded out with vivid color photographs and recipes for such dishes as Pancakes with Green Grape Conserve, Vladimir Lee's Kimchi, Bygone Uzbek Salad, and the cocktail known as Caspian Anchor.