Maggs Bros. Ltd.

In 1918 Gertrude Bell was the local agent of the Arab Bureau in Basra and contributed many articles to the Arab Bulletin. Though initially credited with the second part of this book, Asiatic Turkey, she actually wrote the entire text, as revealed to her stepmother, Florence Bell, in September 1918: "I've loved the reviews which speak of the practical men who were the anonymous authors, etc. It's fun being practical men, isn't it" (Letters, 1927, p. 461). As a central figure in the establishment of the modern state of Iraq, no European could have been better placed to contribute to this collection of essays.

Some of the essays concern the British occupation of parts of Mesopotamia during the First World War, while others are ethnographical, such as the short but fascinating description of the Sabaeans. The fifth chapter, 'A Ruler of the Desert', describes the visit of Ibn Saud to Basra on November 27th 1916, where he met British officials and local Sheikhs, and witnessed an exhibition of the latest military technologies. A short account of his early life and rise to power is also given, along with a memorable and awestruck physical description: "He is a man of splendid physique, standing well over six feet, and carrying himself with the air of one accustomed to command." (p.47).