THE SOUTHERN GATES OF ARABIA

An uncommonly good travel story of an unusual journey into the interior of Arabia, by a woman unaccompanied by another European. Freya Stark is scholar first and historian. Her purpose in making this overland journey was to gather material and sources of material which throw light on the ancient pre-Islamic cultures. With native Bedouin guides, she travelled from Makalla through Lasb, Thile, Doan, Khuraiba, Sif, Hajarain, Shabwa and other quite unknown Arabian villages. She had measles in Doan, and after a serious illness, took up her journey and went on to Shibam where a heart condition brought a close to the trip. Charmingly written, though with enough obscure history to make it ""dry"" for the general public. Anyone who likes travel plus history will love it.