In conversation with Lyn Hughes, Wanderlust Magazine

Tahir Shah is the author of eleven books, most of which chronicle a range of outlandish journeys in Africa, Asia and the Americas.

For him there is nothing so important as deciphering the hidden underbelly of the lands through which he travels. He shuns well -trodden tourist paths, and avoids celebrated landmarks, preferring instead t o position himself in a dusty café and observe life go by.

Shah’s forthcoming book IN ARABIAN NIGHTS looks at how stories are used in cultures such as Morocco, as a matrix by which information, values and ideas are passed from one generation to the next. It is due to be published in the UK in May 2008.

The book follows on the heels of the celebrated CALIPH’S HOUSE: A Year in Casablanca, lauded as one of Time Magazine’s Top 10 books of the year.

His other works include an epic quest through Peru’s cloud forest for the greatest lost city of the Inca’s(HOUSE OF THE TIGER KING), as well as a journey through Ethiopia in search of the source of King Solomon’s Gold (IN SEARCH OF KING SOLOMON’S MINES). Previous to that Shah published an account of a journey through the Amazon on the trail of the so-called Bird men of the Amazon (TRAIL OF FEATHERS), as well as a book of his experiences in India, as a godman’s pupil (THE SORCERERS APPRENTICE). Shah also makes documentary films, which are shown worldwide on National Geographic Television and The History Channel. The latest, TREASURE HUNT IN AFGHANISTAN, was recently screened on British TV. While researching the programme he was arrested and incarcerated in a Pakistani jail for 16 days along with his film crew.

His other documentaries include: HOUSE OF THE TIGER KING; SEARCH FOR THE LOST CITY OF GOLD and THE SEARCH FOR KING SOLOMON’S MINES.

Tahir Shah’s books have appeared in over a dozen languages and in more than forty editions. They are celebrated for their original viewpoint, and for combining hardship and exacting situations with sharp humour.

Interviewed by Lyn Hughes:

In 1992 Lyn Hughes and her late husband, Paul Morrison, were bored on a flight to South America and so schemed out their ideal travel magazine on the back of a sickbag. The idea stuck and, returning to the UK a few months later, they launched Wanderlust magazine from their spare bedroom. The magazine gradually grew through word of mouth, and went on to be one of the UK’s leading travel magazines, with numerous awards under its belt. Later this year it will celebrate its 15th anniversary and 100th issue. Despite the pressures of running a business, Lyn is still a writer and photographer in her own right, and her top interest is still travel. In October 2006 The Times lauded Lyn as one of the “50 Most Influential People in Travel.”