In an intimate portrait of a Turkey rarely seen, Settle follows in the footsteps of emperors and nomads, sultans and shepherds on a cross-country odyssey into history, legend, mystery and myth. Settle lived in Turkey from 1972 to 1974 and returned in 1989 setting out to find the "real" Turkey.

Travelling from one end of the country to the other, she looked for and discovered a Turkey of history and of people and of civilizations. There were some disappointments, particularly in Bodrum, which had been a sleepy little jewel of a town in the early 70's, and which by 1989 had become a tourist trap. But overall, she found the people had remained constant in their warmth, hospitality, courtesy and humor.

This book is much more than a travel book. It is a journal filled with anecdotes and character descriptions. At times it paints terrific word pictures and other times soars into poetry. Settle does more than just look at the surface of Turkey, she digs deep under the skin to show the country's heart.