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bookadventurer's review
5.0
Fascinating. Absolutely fascinating.
Such an interesting woman, who lived a full life, and worked for a cause she was utterly passionate about. She got herself into and out of many scrapes, had more than a couple near-death experiences, and worked tirelessly to bring about Arab independence after WWI. Respected by Arab sheiks and Members of Parliament... took off her skirts to climb the Alps... heartbreaking love stories... travel into the deep desert... the book has it all, and at the heart of it a strong willed woman.
The icing on the cake, and one of the reasons I enjoyed this book so much is Georgina Howell's style of writing and how she eloquently and elegantly brings Gertrude Bell's story to life.
If you read one book about Gertrude Bell, make it this one.
Such an interesting woman, who lived a full life, and worked for a cause she was utterly passionate about. She got herself into and out of many scrapes, had more than a couple near-death experiences, and worked tirelessly to bring about Arab independence after WWI. Respected by Arab sheiks and Members of Parliament... took off her skirts to climb the Alps... heartbreaking love stories... travel into the deep desert... the book has it all, and at the heart of it a strong willed woman.
The icing on the cake, and one of the reasons I enjoyed this book so much is Georgina Howell's style of writing and how she eloquently and elegantly brings Gertrude Bell's story to life.
If you read one book about Gertrude Bell, make it this one.
eyegee's review
4.0
I wanted to know more about how the middle east was carved up after WWI, and this book told part of the story. d
lnatal's review
4.0
From BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week:
The story of Gertrude Bell and her crucial role in the foundation of the state of Iraq. A ferociously independent-minded young woman leaves Oxford and experiences the desert for the first time. A few years later oil is discovered in Mesopotamia.
First published in 2006, Queen of the Desert by Georgina Howell has been reissued - partly to coincide with the Werner Herzog film of the same title, but also to provide the long view on the troubled history of a remarkable country.
Using letters written by Gertrude Bell throughout the period, the book tells the story of an extraordinarily talented and determined woman who has often been overshadowed by her more famous friend T.E. Lawrence.
Read by Sylvestra le Touzel and Deborah Findlay (the letters)
Abridged and produced by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4.
The story of Gertrude Bell and her crucial role in the foundation of the state of Iraq. A ferociously independent-minded young woman leaves Oxford and experiences the desert for the first time. A few years later oil is discovered in Mesopotamia.
First published in 2006, Queen of the Desert by Georgina Howell has been reissued - partly to coincide with the Werner Herzog film of the same title, but also to provide the long view on the troubled history of a remarkable country.
Using letters written by Gertrude Bell throughout the period, the book tells the story of an extraordinarily talented and determined woman who has often been overshadowed by her more famous friend T.E. Lawrence.
Read by Sylvestra le Touzel and Deborah Findlay (the letters)
Abridged and produced by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4.