--- product_id: 61772946 title: "The Merchant of Syria: A History of Survival" price: "€ 97.89" currency: EUR in_stock: true reviews_count: 2 url: https://www.desertcart.hr/products/61772946-the-merchant-of-syria-a-history-of-survival store_origin: HR region: Croatia --- # Global trade & cultural insights Business resilience & transformation 655 rank in Middle Eastern Historical Biographies The Merchant of Syria: A History of Survival **Price:** € 97.89 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 🌟 Unlock the untold story of survival and success in the heart of Syria’s legacy! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The Merchant of Syria: A History of Survival - **How much does it cost?** € 97.89 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.hr](https://www.desertcart.hr/products/61772946-the-merchant-of-syria-a-history-of-survival) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Bridging Past and Present:** Connect centuries of Syrian trade traditions with modern geopolitical realities. - • **A Riveting Tale of Resilience:** Follow Abu Chaker’s inspiring journey from hardship to global business success. - • **Deep Dive into Syrian History:** Explore Syria’s rich cultural, political, and trade legacy through a personal lens. - • **A Must-Read for Global Thinkers:** Perfect for professionals seeking nuanced insights into Middle Eastern history and business. - • **Expertly Researched & Accessible:** Diana Darke’s narrative blends thorough research with engaging storytelling. ## Overview ‘The Merchant of Syria: A History of Survival’ chronicles the extraordinary life of Abu Chaker, a Syrian cloth merchant who overcame immense adversity to build a global business empire. Authored by Diana Darke, the book intertwines his personal story with Syria’s complex history, politics, and trade culture, offering a compelling and accessible exploration of resilience, commerce, and hope in a turbulent region. ## Description What hope is there for Syria? Clues can be found in the story of the Syrian cloth merchant Abu Chaker and his success against the odds. Barely literate, and supporting his mother and sisters from the age of ten, Abu Chaker built up a business empire--despite twice losing everything he had. Diana Darke follows his tumultuous journey, from instability in Syria and civil war in Lebanon, to his arrival in England in the 1970s, where he rescued a failing Yorkshire textile mill, Hield Bros, and transformed it into a global brand. The Merchant of Syria tells two parallel stories: the life of a cloth merchant and his resilience, and the rich history of a nation built on trade. Over millennia Syria has seen great conflict and turmoil, but like the remarkable story of Abu Chaker, it continues to survive. Review: A Wonderful Account of Modern Syria - ‘The Merchant of Syria’ is in some ways a most appropriate title. This book is about a merchant of traditional virtues and scrupulous honesty, truly a man of the people in the best sense. His story tells us much about Syria, in the usual manner of Ms Darke, the depth of whose love for Syria sometimes baffles her children as her afterword confesses, who always seems to describe this country in terms of its people. But actually this book is far far more than a bio. It doubles as guide to modern Syria, looking at its history, politics, geography, and religious, tribal and other sociological divisions. And yet if I have given the impression by the use of these terms that this is an academic book in any way nothing could be farther from the truth. Ms Darke has a long association with Syria, having made her name as a travel writer in the Middle East, specialising in Syria, and then by writing a book about the purchase and renovation of a house in the old city of Damascus, and what became of this venture when the war began. Her understanding of Syria is based on careful personal research and exploration and probably thousands of conversations with its people. Syria is a kind of melting pot and even a kind of railway station for people and peoples in transit in the Middle East, a magnet for international powers especially including the USA, Russia, France, the UK as well as the locals, Jordan, Turkey, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Iraq and Iran. Darke explains very easily and lucidly how the religious and tribal divisions have played out, the strings of their harp twanged by urgent messengers from Tehran, Washington or Ankara etc. What has all this to do with Abu Chaker, the merchant whose story she also tells? Because with the political role it has Syria’s life blood has always been to do with trade especially in the realm of textiles, Chaker’s business, where the hallmark of quality and manifestation of cultural wealth is perennially of value. Understanding this Darke retains perspective and optimism in looking to a better future for the country she loves. Review: Thoroughly fascinating journey through a truly unique modern-day story - Thoroughly fascinating journey through a truly unique modern-day story... A genuinely heartfelt and enjoyable read ! ## Features - The Merchant of Syria: A History of Survival - Product type: ABIS BOOK - Brand: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | 1,530,438 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 655 in Middle Eastern Historical Biographies 1,229 in Islamic Studies 2,326 in Business Biographies & Memoirs (Books) | | Customer Reviews | 4.3 out of 5 stars 9 Reviews | ## Images ![The Merchant of Syria: A History of Survival - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91fuKLIw8UL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Wonderful Account of Modern Syria *by C***N on 5 November 2020* ‘The Merchant of Syria’ is in some ways a most appropriate title. This book is about a merchant of traditional virtues and scrupulous honesty, truly a man of the people in the best sense. His story tells us much about Syria, in the usual manner of Ms Darke, the depth of whose love for Syria sometimes baffles her children as her afterword confesses, who always seems to describe this country in terms of its people. But actually this book is far far more than a bio. It doubles as guide to modern Syria, looking at its history, politics, geography, and religious, tribal and other sociological divisions. And yet if I have given the impression by the use of these terms that this is an academic book in any way nothing could be farther from the truth. Ms Darke has a long association with Syria, having made her name as a travel writer in the Middle East, specialising in Syria, and then by writing a book about the purchase and renovation of a house in the old city of Damascus, and what became of this venture when the war began. Her understanding of Syria is based on careful personal research and exploration and probably thousands of conversations with its people. Syria is a kind of melting pot and even a kind of railway station for people and peoples in transit in the Middle East, a magnet for international powers especially including the USA, Russia, France, the UK as well as the locals, Jordan, Turkey, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Iraq and Iran. Darke explains very easily and lucidly how the religious and tribal divisions have played out, the strings of their harp twanged by urgent messengers from Tehran, Washington or Ankara etc. What has all this to do with Abu Chaker, the merchant whose story she also tells? Because with the political role it has Syria’s life blood has always been to do with trade especially in the realm of textiles, Chaker’s business, where the hallmark of quality and manifestation of cultural wealth is perennially of value. Understanding this Darke retains perspective and optimism in looking to a better future for the country she loves. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Thoroughly fascinating journey through a truly unique modern-day story *by M***N on 29 May 2018* Thoroughly fascinating journey through a truly unique modern-day story... A genuinely heartfelt and enjoyable read ! --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.hr/products/61772946-the-merchant-of-syria-a-history-of-survival](https://www.desertcart.hr/products/61772946-the-merchant-of-syria-a-history-of-survival) --- *Product available on Desertcart Croatia* *Store origin: HR* *Last updated: 2026-07-30*