The King’s Road

This book tells the story of diplomatic travelers on the Silk Road — the network of Eurasian trade routes spanning more than 6,000 kilometers used by travelers from the second century BCE to the middle of the 15th century. Using documents from the Dunhuang “library cave” in Western China, Wen emphasizes the importance of the rich social history that played out on this route in addition to its commercial purpose. The King’s Road (Princeton University Press) puts the history of Eastern Eurasia in a new light by shifting the narrative of the Silk Road.

Paw in print

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The February 2026 cover of PAW, featuring a photo of Joseph Nye.
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February 2026

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