Road Through Kurdistan

Road Through Kurdistan is an enthralling story, packed with adventure, of one man's determination in the face of adversity.

In 1928, A.M. Hamilton travelled to Iraqi Kurdistan, having been commissioned to build a road that would stretch from Northern Iraq through the mountains and gorges of Kurdistan and on to the Iranian border. Now called the Hamilton Road, this was, even by today's standards, a remarkable feat of engineering and remains one of the most strategically important roads in the region.

In this colourful and engaging account, Hamilton describes the four years he spent overcoming immense obstacles - disease, ferocious brigands, warring tribes and bureaucratic officials - to carve a path through some of the most beautiful but inhospitable landscapes in the world.

A classic of travel writing, Road Through Kurdistan is also an invaluable portrayal of the Iraqi Kurds themselves, as well of the Kurdish regions of Northern Iraq.

Auteur

A. M. Hamilton was a civil engineer. After being born in 1898 in New Zealand, an early interest in all things scientific would endure throughout his life. After having graduated from university with a Bachelor of Engineering, Hamilton worked on several projects in New Zealand. In 1926, he joined the British Admiralty team involved in designing the new Singapore Naval Base. In 1927 he became engineer in charge of Diwaniyeh in Iraq and later transferred to Kurdistan, where he would spend the next four years of his life. He died in 1972 aged 74.

Résumé
Road Through Kurdistan is an enthralling story, packed with adventure, of one man's determination in the face of adversity.In 1928, A.M. Hamilton travelled to Iraqi Kurdistan, having been commissioned to build a road that would stretch from Northern Iraq through the mountains and gorges of Kurdistan and on to the Iranian border. Now called the Hamilton Road, this was, even by today's standards, a remarkable feat of engineering and remains one of the most strategically important roads in the region.In this colourful and engaging account, Hamilton describes the four years he spent overcoming immense obstacles disease, ferocious brigands, warring tribes and bureaucratic officials to carve a path through some of the most beautiful but inhospitable landscapes in the world. A classic of travel writing, Road Through Kurdistan is also an invaluable portrayal of the Iraqi Kurds themselves, as well of the Kurdish regions of Northern Iraq.