2008-08-13 Superb

Before visiting relatives in Dubai I thought I'd select some holiday reading with an Arabian flavour and so happenend across Wilfred Thesiger's 'Arabian Sands'.

Thesiger's simple style of writing magnifies the barren beauty of the desert regions he crossed and his intimate descriptions of his Bedu travelling companions were enhanced by the wonderful selection of black & white images included in the volume.

The austere and ascetic ways of the desert nomads of half a century ago are in stark contrast to the affluent materialism evident in much of the region today - a change mourned by the author in his preface.

A wonderfull book, rich with the author's passion and respect for the desert and it's Bedu inhabitants. Highly recommended.