"Kropf's peek at this isolated corner of a shrinking world is a fascinating narrative bound to hook adventurers." --Publishers Weekly
"...an accessible and entertaining account."
--The Washington Post
"Finally, Turkmenistan--one of the world's weirdest and most interesting countries--has
received its chronicler. John Kropf writes with sharp-eyed insight and is never less than
engaging. Most important, he is sympathetic to the Turkmen people while at the same time
mordantly observant of the personality cult within which they are cocooned. Unknown Sands
will occupy a special place on my Central Asia bookshelf."
--Tom Bissell, Author of Chasing the Sea
[Kropf] writes with insight and wonder of the strange personality cult of the country's leader, the markets, bazaars, carpets and history of spies and secrets in this isolated, strategic corner of the world
--Longitude Books
"It may become a critical historical and sociological resource in the future."
--From Capital Community News"...a rare account as rich with detail, eneregy and history as the Tolkuchka Bazaar."
--Pitt Magazine