Christians under the Crescent in Asia is the account of a journey among the Assyrians in Turkey and Persia in 1876. The author, Edward L. Cutts, was sent on a mission of inquiry by the Archbishop of Canterbury in response to petitions from Assyrians to the Church of England requesting the establishment of a mission to open schools among them in order to bring about their educational and spiritual renewal.

This book serves as primary source material for a very important period in modern Assyrian history from which few other sources survive. Additionally, this book contains detailed descriptions of life and customs that have all but disappeared. During this period, the Assyrians were still living in their original homelands. Their economic and political situation fluctuated, but the horrific events of 1915-1918 were still far off and it is tempting to read this book and imagine what might have been if genocide and exile could have been avoided. (Adapted from the new introduction by David Malick.)