Arabian Sands

Thesiger left us a gift with this marvelous exploration...

In Arabian Sands Thesiger documents a time, a place, and a people on the cusp of change. Largely responsible for mapping the 250,000 square miles of the largest sand desert in the world, The Empty Quarter, in the area of modern Yemen, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Oman, Thesiger realized that his work hastened the demise of the way of life he loved. "Regretfully, however, I realize that the maps I made helped others, with more material aims, to visit and corrupt a people whose spirit once lit the desert like a flame."

Despite having no interest in writing, Thesiger is a natural. He describes the Sands: "gold and silver, orange with cream, brick-red wtih white, burnt-brown with pink, yellow with grey--they have an infinite variety of colors and shades." He records conversations and arguments, instances of laughter among men at night around a campfire, snatches of stories retold among his companions with much frequency. His closest friends were young boys when he chose them to accompany him. He describes them, transparently to us, with such clear attraction and admiration, that we know he held himself in check all those years. The boys accompanied Thesiger over a period of years, time and again ignoring dangers and deprivations to be in his company.

This is a classic which stirs regret for a culture untouched.

Fascinating & informative

Arabian Sands is the best resource I've found in my research on Bedouin life, & especially on traveling through the ultra-desert Empty Quarter in Arabia. (There's also some good info. on Ethiopia, at the beginning.)
Thesiger respects and understands the people who give him hospitality. He's a fantastic storyteller. His writing is full of wonderful details and images. The book holds your attention.

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