Die Bagdadbahn

A thorough and vividly detailed study, this work follows a series of lengthy journeys across the lands between the Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf at the turn of the twentieth century. Drawing on multiple expeditions, the author maps out the proposed Baghdad Railway’s route, describing the terrain, towns and peoples he encountered while noting the economic conditions that shape each region. The narrative blends on‑the‑ground observations with broader reflections on how the line could reshape trade, industry and everyday life.

Beyond the geography, the book delves into the tangled politics of the era, examining how German, Ottoman, British, French and Russian interests intersect around the railway project. It confronts contemporary fears of colonisation and the strategic motives behind the line, while remaining grounded in the author’s firsthand experiences. Listeners will gain a nuanced picture of a pivotal moment when rail, empire and local cultures all converged in a landscape poised for change.