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fourtriplezed 's Reviews > Arabian Sands
Arabian Sands
by
by
There is no doubt in my mind that this is top of the shelf travel/adventure narrative. Thesiger could arguably be one of the last great explorers that this ever smaller world has seen. His journeys into the unmapped areas of the Empty Quarters of the Arabian peninsula are told in this well written book that must surely be a must for anyone that is attracted to any kind of travel writing. The writing is sparse but descriptive as he tells a tale of hardship by both himself and his Bedu (Bedouin) companions. Hardship comes in all shapes and forms, be it hunger and thirst or his struggles to make it known to hostile tribes that he was there to explore and not proselytise.
It took a recent trip to visit the edge of Australian desert country for me to understand that there is a deep beauty in these so called desolate lands and with that trip in my recent memories Thesiger’s descriptions of the various landscape he crossed and personally explored made his writings compelling. Add to that his deep respect for and descriptions of his travelling companions and their lifestyle along with some history this is a must read for anyone that likes travel readings.
Thesiger’s travels took place in the late 1940’s, pre oil boom. Places such as Abu Dhabi are but small towns of a couple of thousand people. He does notice and comment on the change of life that is beginning to take place and is not impressed.
“I marvelled that Arabs should wish to ape our ways�
“�..I was averse to all oil companies, dreading the changes and disintegration of society which they inevitably caused�
“I realised even then that speed and ease of mechanical transport must rob the world of all diversity�
A big thanks to my great friend Gordon who gifted me this book on my recent visit to his wonderful part of the world. You know me well mate. �
Highly recommended to any one who has an interest in travel and exploration.
It took a recent trip to visit the edge of Australian desert country for me to understand that there is a deep beauty in these so called desolate lands and with that trip in my recent memories Thesiger’s descriptions of the various landscape he crossed and personally explored made his writings compelling. Add to that his deep respect for and descriptions of his travelling companions and their lifestyle along with some history this is a must read for anyone that likes travel readings.
Thesiger’s travels took place in the late 1940’s, pre oil boom. Places such as Abu Dhabi are but small towns of a couple of thousand people. He does notice and comment on the change of life that is beginning to take place and is not impressed.
“I marvelled that Arabs should wish to ape our ways�
“�..I was averse to all oil companies, dreading the changes and disintegration of society which they inevitably caused�
“I realised even then that speed and ease of mechanical transport must rob the world of all diversity�
A big thanks to my great friend Gordon who gifted me this book on my recent visit to his wonderful part of the world. You know me well mate. �
Highly recommended to any one who has an interest in travel and exploration.
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Great review, and thanks for the plug! I am amazed by Thesiger's ability to make this book so fascinating, given the repetition of his journey and the setting. Really, it is masterful.
Daren wrote: "Great review, and thanks for the plug! I am amazed by Thesiger's ability to make this book so fascinating, given the repetition of his journey and the setting. Really, it is masterful."Completely agree Daren. I will have to take a small break from travel writing as what I read next may unfairly pale in comparison.
Great review. I'm interested in the Australian deserts. Any suggestions on what to read or where to go? Thanks!
Dmitri wrote: "Great review. I'm interested in the Australian deserts. Any suggestions on what to read or where to go? Thanks!"The short answer is.....no idea Dimitri LOL.
I have not read anything on our deserts to be honest but feel that I eventually must. As to where to visit it is a big and vast area from almost the Indian Ocean in the west to the Great dividing range in the east. I touched the peripheral of it when travelling from Adelaide to Broken Hill. We stayed a few of nights in Broken Hill and took a day trip west into the area around Silverton and a little beyond. It was stunning to say the least. My wife and I felt bereft in not having had a proper visit to the deeper desert areas and hope to one day.
Dmitri wrote: " I'm interested in the Australian deserts. Any suggestions on what to read or where to go? Thanks!"I have spent a little time in parts of the Australian desert, but usually with people who know plenty about it, are well planned and treat it with the care it requires. The Aussie Desert is no holiday destination. It is however an amazing and very varied place. To get a quick feel for you you either drive north from Adelaide to Alice Springs where you can visit Uluru (Ayers Rock). On the way north you pass through Coober Pedy, famous for its opal mining, and underground dwellings. The other easy alternative is a long trip across the Nullabor to Western Australia (also from Adelaide). This is a long drive literally through 'no trees', although it has variation and a bit like Patagonia (figuratively not physically), a part of its appeal is how big it is. Beyond this the deserts are very accessible in 4WD with adequate planning and driving up established routes like the Oodnadata track or the Gunbarrel highway or and number of other more adventurous trips from South Australia or around Alice. The part I haven't visited is northern Western Australia, which is remote and supposed to be incredible. The Pilbara, The Great Sandy Desert, The Kimberley - all amazing.
As for books - lots of Idriess books are about the people in the deserts of Australia (I have reviewed lots), Robyn Davidsons 'Tracks' is very good. There are a bunch about Aboriginal peoples in my Australia shelf.
Thanks for your thoughts 4zzz and Daren!
I read this many years ago whilst working in the Sahara, and then did my own stumble into the edges of the Empty Quarter in the NW of Oman. Deserts are very special places. They suck everything out of you. You are nothing against their bleak and infernal beauty. If you want to see how it all goes wrong when you are ill prepared and cannot handle it, try reading Geoffrey Moorhouse 'The Fearful Void'
Kevin wrote: "I read this many years ago whilst working in the Sahara, and then did my own stumble into the edges of the Empty Quarter in the NW of Oman. Deserts are very special places. They suck everything out..."Thanks for the comment, Kevin. I will grab The Fearful Void if I see it around. Was the desert an inspiration for any of your art?
fourtriplezed wrote: "I will grab The Fearful Void if I see it around..."I can second the recommendation for Moorhouse's Fearful Void, and add Michael Asher's Two Against The Sahara, which is also excellent.
Daren wrote: "fourtriplezed wrote: "I will grab The Fearful Void if I see it around..."I can second the recommendation for Moorhouse's Fearful Void, and add Michael Asher's Two Against The Sahara, which is also..."
Added to the ever expanding wishlist!
Maiden Misty's wrote: "Great review!"Thank you, Maiden Misty.
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