What hope is there for the future of Syria? Clues can be found in the life and times of the Syrian cloth merchant Abu Chaker (1921-2013). Barely literate, and supporting his mother and seven sisters from the age of ten, he built up his business empire on trust, despite losing everything twice through political instability and war, before coming to England as an economic migrant. A devout Muslim, the climax of his tumultuous life was to buy and save a Yorkshire mill, which still serves as the headquarters of the textile manufacturing company he turned into a global brand.
Drawing on her first-hand knowledge of the man, and on scores of interviews conducted in Syria, Lebanon and Britain since his death, Diana Darke shows how Abu Chaker's story embodies the struggles of many young Syrians, and touches many of today's pressing global issues--from Islamic values, religious coexistence and multiculturalism to poverty, political unrest, terrorism, displacement and refugees.
Industry Reviews
'A sure and pithy explanation of the country's descent into chaos . . . the real strength of this book is the fascinating insight that it provides of domestic life . . . a powerful meditation on how trust glues societies together.'
'Darke presents a richly detailed work that contextualizes Syria's long history as a 'melting pot of civilizations' while giving an intimate view of one Syrian's extraordinary life. . . . Darke does a magnificent job of taking what could otherwise be a dispiriting tale of national crisis, and reframing it as an inspirational story of personal survival and triumph.' * Publishers Weekly *
'If I had to recommend a single book for someone wanting to understand Syria, it would be this. The Merchant of Syria is a fascinating read.'
'A captivating telling of 20th century Syrian history told through the prism of a larger than life character . . . Darke's passion for Syria is infectious . . . a delightful read.'
'Darke writes with authority . . . [the book] includes some of the best available accounts of what has actually been going on in Syria in the last decade.'
'Thoroughly narrated . . . informative . . . a deeply human view of a world destroyed.'
'Lively, readable . . . interesting and inspiring, Darke provides, not only a useful introduction to Syrian history and the ongoing civil war, but also a challenging story of human tragedy and success. Highly recommended.'
'A wonderful evocation of the Syria we have lost, alternating between public events and the career, family life and moral outlook of a remarkable but, in a way, typical Syrian man. A unique insight into the country Darke obviously loves.' -- Hugh Kennedy, Professor of Arabic, SOAS, University of London
'Enormously rich and powerful, beautifully written and from the heart.' -- David Nott, humanitarian and volunteer surgeon in Syrian conflict zones
'The story of a single man can shine a powerful light on the tragedies of history. Darke sensitively deciphers these tragedies in a book that illuminates Abu Chaker's zeitgeist and enhances our understanding of Syria's past, present and future.' -- Ece Temelkuran, Turkish writer, author of 'Turkey: The Insane and the Melancholy'
'Diana Darke quarries future hope for us from the ruins of Syria, by chronicling this inspiring story of how a young merchant from Homs became a modern Dick Whittington to Bradford, without once turning his back on his own rich culture or his new nationality.' -- Barnaby Rogerson, author of 'The Heirs of the Prophet Muhammad'
'Darke's empathy, deep knowledge of Arabic, and capacity to weave effortlessly along a complex path make her uniquely qualified to take us through Syria's history, leaving us with many insights into a society constantly able to find inner strength after disasters.' -- Ross Burns, former Australian Ambassador to Syria and Lebanon
'Admirable and empathetic. Darke's elegance of style and understanding of the broad strokes of Syria's history over the past two millennia draw the reader deeply into the life and times of the merchant, Abu Chaker.' -- Dawn Chatty, author of 'Syria: The Making and Unmaking of a Refuge State'
'By stitching together the fabric of Syria's history through the life and experiences of a merchant from Homs, Diana Darke paints a textured narrative of a richly complex country, society and people. A book filled with passionate understanding.' -- Chris Doyle, Director of The Council for Arab-British Understanding
'The extraordinary story of a country summed up in the life of a man. Darke reveals the details of Syria's cultural and religious history in a style that captures the mind and the heart.' -- Muhammad al-Yaqoubi, Syrian scholar and imam, author of 'Refuting ISIS: A Rebuttal Of Its Religious And Ideological Foundations'
