Gertrude might be a new hero for me. Woman was awesome! But not only that, her life story is still so relevant. It was fascinating to learn about how the Middle East was shaped in the years during and following the first world war through the eyes of a women, perhaps one of the few people ever, most qualified to explain it. Slightly disheartening to to see the problems she tried to show were brewing even then but also that she tried adored that part of the world and through her wonder and knowledge, I feel like I know it a little better now too. Kudos to Howell for writing a biography that captures so well Gertrude's own voice and story.