This is an evocation of the beautiful and exotic world of the marsh Arabs, who inhabit "the cradle of civilization". The author first went there in the 1950s taken by the Arabist, Wilfred Thesiger. On his return after more than twenty years, he found not only that he was remembered, but that the changes, unlike those in many societies around the world, were for the better. Sadly, this book, first published in 1973, is now an elegy for a land and a lifestyle which have been decimated by the Gulf War; Gavin Young has written a short epilogue, bringing the story up to date. His other acclaimed books include "Slow Boats to China", "Slow Boats Home" and "Worlds Apart".
- ISBN10 0140112154
- ISBN13 9780140112153
- Publish Date 23 February 1989 (first published 23 May 1977)
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 10 October 1996
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Penguin Books Ltd
- Edition New edition
- Format Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
- Pages 192
- Language English