The Golden Peaches of Samarkand

This book examines the exotics imported into China during the Tang Dynasty (A.D. 618-907) and depicts their influence on Chinese life. During the three centuries of Tang came into the land the natives of almost every nation of Asia, all bringing exotic wares either as gifts or as goods to be sold. Ivory, rare woods, drugs, diamonds, magicians, dancing girls—the author covers all classes of unusual imports, their places of origin, their lore, their effect on fashion, dwellings, diet, painting, sculpture, music, and poetry.

This book is for students of Tang culture and laymen interested in the same topic.… show more.

Schafer transports you into extraordinary gardens of the past, in this case, Tang Dynasty China (pre-900 AD), it’s a scientific travelogue revealing the magic of discovery and the way people react to exotic foods.  In that sense it inspired me to seek out the unusual and to celebrate the cutting edge, which I certainly do in my own book. Also, as anyone can judge from the title, Schafer is keen on revealing inner “poetry” in the language of plants.