Ibn Fadlan and the Land of Darkness: Arab Travellers in the Far North

A fascinating collection of medieval Arabic travel writing in an important new translation Between the ninth and fourteenth centuries, Arab explorers journeyed widely and frequently into the far north, crossing territories that now include Russia, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan. Ibn Fadlan's chronicles of his travels are one of the most important documents from the period, and this illuminating new translation offers insight into the world of the Arab geographers and the medieval lands of the far north. Based on an expedition to the upper Volga River in 922 AD, Ibn Fadlan and the Land of Darkness provides a rare and valuable glimpse of Viking customs, dress, table manners, religion, and sexual practices, including the only eyewitness account ever written of a Viking ship cremation. This audiobook is expressively read by Fajer Al-Kaisi, with audio engineering by Sam Platt. It was produced and published by Echo Point Books & Media, an independent bookseller in Brattleboro, Vermont.

© 2025 Echo Point Books & Media, LLC (Audiobook): 9781666698541

Translators: Paul Lunde, Caroline Stone

Release date

Audiobook: 4 March 2025