Amazon.com Book Description (ISBN 184511244X, Paperback)

Starting in the forbidden valley of Palas in Pakistan, Paine travels through the former territories of the Soviet Union, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and into the wild Tien Shan. She follows ancient trading routes, traveling in the footsteps of merchants and armies, chasing legends of goddess worship, traditions of Orthodox belief, and stories of pagan superstition. Her relentless pursuit finally ends on the island of Karpathos in Greece, where, in a tiny church on Easter Sunday, she makes an extraordinary discovery.