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oisincleere's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
arsilva's review against another edition
fast-paced
5.0
Fascinating story that I could not put down! I chose this book to learn about cultures other than my own and I learned so much through reading this book!
anneke_b's review against another edition
4.0
A fast and entertaining read! A lot that I could relate to, due to my short and rather limited expeditions in the Near East region, and from stories from others. Recommended
whatwillreads's review against another edition
4.0
Fantastic. In each chapter, Levison manages to capture the people, the landscape and culture of each country throughout his journey. Levison provides a real down to earth account of his travels in 'Arabia' - he doesn't romanticise Arabia, but rather details the harsh truths of living in countries ripped apart by war, terrorism and politics. He unapologetically reveals his personal lows that he struggles with during the expedition, such as his loneliness and illness in Somalia, which he admiringly counteracts with his positivity and endurance.
Nevertheless, it is in Levision's encounters with the people of these countries and their stories which prove to be the real gems of this book and of Arabia. To end with one of my favourite quotes within the book: 'There is no such thing as good or bad people. There is only people.'
Nevertheless, it is in Levision's encounters with the people of these countries and their stories which prove to be the real gems of this book and of Arabia. To end with one of my favourite quotes within the book: 'There is no such thing as good or bad people. There is only people.'
cbis's review against another edition
4.0
[Notes for me] Interesting insight and works well in conjunction with the TV series, both containing elements that the other does not. It's all changed since the 70s and 80s ME that I knew.
Knocking off a star for the slightly manufactured sense of jeopardy that arises from the perception that he's travelling alone when in fact it seems that there was often a support team with him.
Knocking off a star for the slightly manufactured sense of jeopardy that arises from the perception that he's travelling alone when in fact it seems that there was often a support team with him.
abookishtype's review against another edition
3.0
I’ve realized that I have a deep love of nonfiction accounts of amazing, slightly-crazy journeys. Levison Wood’s An Arabian Journey definitely fits the bill. Wood, a journalist and world traveler, had wanted to follow in the footsteps of Wilfred Thesiger, T.E. Lawrence, and Freya Stark—Europeans who traveled into the Arabian desert and made friendships with Bedouins, Arabs, and the other residents of the Middle East and Arabian Peninsula...
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss.
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss.