Years before the publication of 30 Silverglyphics - A Journey Along the Silk Road, I talked to all sorts of people about it. Because the book grew out of a traditional approach to photography and a belief in the irreplaceable feeling of actually holding one, I never showed the pictures or read anything, I just found a map or drew a rough one of the different routes my travels took me and then spoke. An hour would quickly pass explaining the book's romantic and practical sides, and answering the questions that flowed from the audience. In the new prologue to my book, I mention their enthusiasm, and I want to give you the opportunity to share whatever ineffable thing they feel in connection to hearing my story.