"Splendid. . . . Dalrymple is plainly brilliant, bonkers, or both." --The Times (London)

"The future of travel writing lies in the hands of gifted writers like Dalrymple." --The Independent (London)

"This is travel writing in the grand tradition, with a true whiff of high adventure. Dalrymple recounts his saga with a fine mixture of humour and erudition, and with the exuberance of youth." --Evening Standard

"Bright, sharp, laconic and outrageous, his is an adventurous account of hippies and mad mullahs, mosques and sacred tombs, dangers and celebrations, Dionysian rituals and rich discoveries. It is full of life and very funny." --Sunday Times

"Dalrymple is probably the best travel writer of his generation." --The Daily Mail

"Uncommonly satisfying because of the rare skill with which Dalrymple blends his ingredients: history, danger, humour, architecture, people, hardships, politics." --London Literary Review

"Brilliant." --The Spectator

"Dalrymple is a phenomenon and his journey a remarkable one. . . . A striking achievement." --Punch

"A vivid, engaging, often hilarious account of an amazing 12,000-mile quest." --The Sunday Express

"Outstanding. . . . William Dalrymple is a natural writer. His models are, perhaps, Peter Fleming and Evelyn Waugh rather than more serious travellers, but he's a better scholar than either. Best of all, he has the gift of comedy. . . . In Xanadu marks the arrival of a new star." --Sydney Morning Herald

"A fast, furious, funny read. . . . Clearly the stuff bestsellers are made of." --Times of India

"A delightful book--erudite, adventurous and amusing [with] an exotic itinerary, charming companions, impossible odds, appalling discomfort and bizarre encounters along the way." --Piers Paul Reed