The story of the historical race to reach Timbuktu across the eighteenth century is addressed alongside the story of a contemporary fight to save its ancient manuscripts from destruction at the hands of Al Qaeda, conducted by a band of librarians and archivists. The author's stir-causing "Guardian" article on this story is expanded into an exciting account, also redressing misconceptions of eastern learning as more oral and less preciously documented.

Charlie English is the former head of international news at the Guardian. A fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and author of a previous book, The Snow Tourist, he first journey to African at nineteen, and has travelled widely there and elsewhere around the globe. He lives in London.