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justin92's review against another edition
3.0
BLUF - Was really interesting learning about an old pre-oil Arabic culture but very repetitive. Wouldn't read it again, and will listen to sped-up audiobooks of this author in the future.
bridge_overbooked's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
2.0
This is definitely an observational journal; Thesiger describes everything in very vivid detail, but that also brings a very slow pace. I found myself getting frustrated with how he kept claiming to love the Arabian people, but continuously put their lives in danger just so he could have the credit of being "the first European" to do various things. Additionally, the chapter subtitles would say exactly what happens in each chapter, so you could just read those and you'd get the gist. On the positive side of things, the maps and pictures were very cool to see and I did find the adventures to be incredibly unique.
"Arabian Sands" is Wilfred Thesiger's account of his travels across the deserts of Arabia in the 1940s. Immersing himself in Bedouin culture, Thesiger provides vivid descriptions of the harsh landscapes, nomadic way of life, and the enduring spirit of the people he encounters. Through his lyrical prose and intimate insights, Thesiger offers a timeless exploration of the allure and challenges of the Arabian desert.
fourtriplezed's review against another edition
5.0
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.
checkel821's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
3.5
hannah_em's review against another edition
5.0
This book was pretty awesome. I found most of his notes thoughtful, although there were moments of clear imperialistic self-importance. Overall, it was a great history and gave a lot of valuable information about the recent history of my new host country. His details about Bedu life and the conflicts which he predicts will arise from modernizing these tribes is interesting, and I hope to read more about this. If nothing else, there was a lot of camel-related fun info!
nadoislandgirl's review against another edition
2.0
I started this book after watching Lawrence of Arabia and wanting to learn more about the desert cultures. I started out quite interested, but the book dragged on - with the main Englishman crossing deserts with the native people throughout the book, without an overarching plot. It got monotonous, and I found myself skimming by the end.