Story of 'audacious' journey through Middle East to I B Tauris

I.B.Tauris has signed a new book by Northern Irish writer, adventurer and film-maker, Leon McCarron.

The publisher holds world rights to The Land Beyond, which tells the story of an "audacious and revealing" journey McCarron made on foot through the heart of the Middle East.

The deal was made with Jo Cantello of Wolfsong Media.

The title will trace McCarron’s journey from Jerusalem into the rolling hills of the West Bank, along the rugged spine of Jordan and finally across the vast, empty deserts of Sinai, to finish atop the sacred mountain.

McCarron is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and specialises in storytelling via long distance, human-powered expeditions. His previous projects have seen him cycle from New York to Hong Kong, walk 3000 miles across China, trek 1000 miles through the Empty Quarter desert and travel along Iran’s longest river. In 2014 he rode a horse across Argentina, following the Santa Cruz river in the footsteps of Charles Darwin. He has also produced "Walking Home From Mongolia", a TV series for National Geographic, and made three independent films.

McCarron said: "There are so many fascinating and unheard stories from this journey, and I’m very much looking forward to sharing them with readers."

Tatiana Wilde, travel editor at I.B.Tauris, added: "We are delighted to be publishing Leon McCarron’s timely and compelling new book, which strives to tell the human story of this complex region that exists beyond the news headlines. The Land Beyond is a natural fit for I.B.Tauris, connecting our strong publishing on the Middle East with our quirky and innovative travel writing list."

The Land Beyond: A Thousand Miles on Foot through the Middle East will be published in October 2017 by I.B.Tauris, priced at £15.99.