My House in Damascus

Diana Darke has specialised in the Middle East for over thirty years, living and working in a range of Arab countries. She is well known as an authority on Syria, contributing to the Guardian, the Financial Times and the BBC's From Our Own Correspondent.

'...written with the pace of a novel and the colour of the best travel writing... much more than a personal memoir: it is an eclectic but learned encyclopedia of Syrian history, of the Arabs and their language and traditions, of Islamic art and architecture, and more.' - Times Literary Supplement '...glows with...an understanding of and affection for the peoples of Syria.' - The Irish Times 'Darke's powerful, moving new book - elegantly contrasts a property dream with Syria's ongoing violent reality - Her sensitive, knowing story captures a rare view of Syria and the stakes of the conflict from an up-close observer deeply versed in its culture.' - New Republic