This book has had a prolonged gestation. In 1980, after reading articles by Dr H. H. Hirst and Mr N. A. Cohen, Norman J. Collins realised that no serious attempt had been made to list the route instruction markings, labels or envelopes produced for use by the route. He therefore decided to attempt to research this subject and gradually his records grew. The first contributions were from Dr. Hirst and Michael M. Sacher. Michael's records were published in 1987, after his sad demise in 1986, as a tribute to his memory and to his willingness always to share information. No further progress was possible due to Norman Collins' other commitments until 1987, when Norman Gladstone and Zvi Alexander produced a draft monograph based on the latter's collection and the previously published information. It was a logical step to combine all the material and efforts and it was then that B.A.P.I.P. (now the Holyland Philatelic Society) took the project and its publication under its auspices. In the event, Norman Collins has contributed the major share of the effort, including production of the drafts and compiling tables.

This work goes beyond what had originally been intended. The main concern of Norman Collins was the period starting in 1923. Norman Gladstone and Zvi Alexander had produced short pieces on forerunners of the Indian Dromedary Posts based on details of the Saldana book, and a brief outline of mail during the Ottoman period. With the help of members of the Indian Study Circle the chapter on the Dromedary Post has been expanded. The information in this chapter, I believe, is the greatest amount published so far, mainly due to the kindness of Ernie Oehme who shared his unpublished research records. Readers may find this chapter confusing because information from official sources seems to contradict itself. One problem has not been overcome: even specialists can only hazard a guess at the actual line of the Dromedary routes. Because no one can produce accurate maps we have had to omit them.

For the Ottoman chapter two recently published articles by Asaf Tanrikut published by O.P.A.L. have been most helpful and Carl Catherman's contribution of the official postal map showing the Tartar route from Baghdad was most important. Professor Munro's excellent history of the Nairns and the overland route has helped, the authors hope to produce the most complete history in a philatelic work and are are most grateful for his kindness in allowing the free use of his publication.

From the point of view of human interest a chapter showing how hazardous the overland route could be had been included. The chapter on official information is not as complete as it was liked. Without the co-operation of postal authorities it is not possible to expand it further. Alas, the majority of postal authorities failed to reply to requests for information; and the postal records of Palestine no longer exist.

The authors have tried to make the tables of material used on the route as comprehensive as possible and have given information which should help philatelists avoid dubious material. Known forgeries, including forged handstamps that have been applied to perfectly genuine covers, are listed and, hopefully, this will help collectors from being deceived by such rubbish.

The method of measurement of handstamps and imprints is usually self evident, i.e. to the outer frame lines or the edges of the printed inscription. The paper measurements of labels, as this may vary within a single type, has not been listed. The recorded dates and numbers of items are based on material that were have actually seen at thew point of publication, however, some dates are outdated but doe no justify a publication of a revised monograph..

During the research the authors discovered some unfortunate errors of measurements and dates in the records of the late Mr Michael Sacher, which were published unaltered in the BAPIP Bulletin and later in “Der Israel Philatelist” and the “Holy Land Postal History Journal”. Therefore, no cross-references to Michael Sacher's listings where given by the authors in their tables although his items are obviously included.

Given several years more, as well as additional resources and more helpful postal authorities, a more complete and comprehensive work could have been produced. Even then, the experience of other philatelic researchers has shown that additional facts still come to hand and further revisions are needed.
The book covers following aspects:

1. HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION
2. THE INDIAN MAIL ROUTES IN TURKISH ARABIA 17TH TO 19 TH CENTURIES
3. OVERLAND MARKINGS NOT RELATED TO THE DESERT ROUTE
4. THE TURKISH POSTAL ROUTE 
5. THE OVERLAND TRANSPORT COMPANIES FROM 1923
6. THE HAZARDS OF THE OVERLAND DESERT ROUTE
7. ROUTE INFORMATION FROM OFFICIAL AND OTHER SOURCES
8. THE MANUSCRIPT AND TYPEWRITTEN ROUTE ENDORSEMENTS
9. THE ROUTE INSTRUCTION HANDSTAMPS 
10. RE-ROUTING AND RECEIVING HANDSTAMPS
11. LATE FEE AND TOO LATE HANDSTAMPS
12. PUBLICITY HANDSTAMPS
13. FORGED AND BOGUS HANDSTAMPS
14. IMPRINTED ENVELOPES
15. NAIRN PUBLICITY ENVELOPES
16. THE ROUTE INSTRUCTION LABELS
17. BIBLIOGRAPHY 

In addition, following maps are added:

• THE ROUTE OF THE MAMLUK PIGEON POST
• THE OTTOMAN POSTAL ROUTES
• THE NAIRN ROUTES AND ONWARD MAIL CONVEYANCE
• THE NAIRN ROUTES AND MAIL CONVEYANCE DURING THE DRUZE REBELLION