East of the sun and west of the moon

The book opens with two brothers, seasoned by political life and world‑wide hunting, deciding to turn a long‑held dream into a rugged trek across the high plateaus of Central Asia. Their preparation is a blend of practical logistics and scientific curiosity, as they aim to document wildlife and geography while testing their endurance. The narrative captures the excitement of packing the last supplies and the sense of a rare, once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity.

As they move from the valleys of Kashmir through the stark deserts of Turkestan and over the towering passes of the Himalayas, the authors describe the people they meet, the customs of remote villages, and the behavior of elusive species such as ibex, bear and the Tian Shan wapiti. Their observations are interwoven with vivid sketches and photographs, giving listeners a textured sense of the landscape. The early part of the journey balances the thrill of hunting with a genuine respect for the natural world, setting the stage for deeper discoveries ahead.