Passionate Nomad: The LIfe of Freya Stark by Jane Fletcher-Geniesse


finished 11/29 ........ biography .......... rating 8

Fascinating woman about whom I had absolutely no prior knowledge. Freya Stark was a traveler and writer basically, but she was also an explorer and map-maker and diplomat and possibly a spy. Her expertise was the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Iraq, Persia, and so on. She started traveling at the age of 22 and didn't quit until she was in her 90s. Her personal life was a mess though, in spite of her charm and intelligence which worked so well elsewhere. She was spoiled, selfish, ambitious, jealous, flirtatious and very, very proud. The book itself is a bit dry and I wish there had been more about the actual explorations - but I suppose I should read Stark's work to learn the details of that. The quotes in the book are teasers. I think I'd like to start with "The Valley of the Assassins."

Posted: Sat - November 29, 2008 at 11:26 AM        

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