Freya Stark—traveler, explorer, Arabist, and woman of letters—began the extraordinary adventures that would glamorize her—and wou...
read full description
reviews
Nov 29, 2008
Becky
rated it: 
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, se
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jan 17, 2010
Alice
rated it:
The fascinating biography of Freya Stark, who traveled throughout Arabia and Persia between the two world wars. Her personal life was a mess, but she was an intrepid traveler, who demonstrated a strong respect for the Arab way of life. She learned several languages as an adult, used classical texts (e.g. Herodotus) as travel manuals, and discovered several valuable archeological sites. She published eleven books on Arabia, several others on Turkey, and her personal letters filled eight volumes
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jun 27, 2009
Ivy
rated it: 
As a lover of biographies, I became interested in this book after reading a positive review from Modern Library. What could be more interesting than to read about a woman ahead of her time, fearless, captivating, smart and daring? Dame Freya Stark was all of these things, as well as a little "difficult".
Drowning in the despair of a dead-end future and smarting after a broken engagement, Freya decides to embark on a journey to the Middle East and from that moment establishes More...
Drowning in the despair of a dead-end future and smarting after a broken engagement, Freya decides to embark on a journey to the Middle East and from that moment establishes More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jul 26, 2010
Diane
rated it:
I'm actually re-reading this book about an incredible adventuress. Freya Stark overcame physical injury, horrible relations and poverty to follow her dream: to travel to exotic places. She discovered 'lost' cities, mapped areas around Persia, authored acclaimed books, became a member of the National Geographic Society (which was male dominated), and was a friend to many important history makers during the period between and after the World Wars.
Aug 22, 2011
Anastasia
rated it:
I read this in concert with her lyrical account of a journey with two other women with whom she didn't get along, A Winter in Arabia. She was so smoothly politic in the memoir itself--to avoid hurting their feelings--that I wanted to know the backstory. The biography gave me all that, au jus, but it also allowed me to truly understand this charismatic and brilliantly restless, self-promoting woman.
Aug 07, 2010
Sally
rated it:
I have asked so many women if they've heard of Freya Stark, and not a one of us had! Yet this tiny British woman (raised in Italy) wrote many popular travel books from her amazingly adventurous travels (usually alone) through the Middle East in the 20s through the 40s. She spoke many Arabic dialects, created maps of uncharted lands, was recognized by intellectuals for her expertise and wit. AND, she lived to be 100, and was knighted by the Queen! Freya was the center of attention from the Roy
More...
Dec 15, 2010
Bridget
rated it:
The perfect follow-up to Desert Queen. A very well done biography, even though at times I got the strange sense that the author didn't like her subject very much. Huh.
Mar 08, 2010
Erika
rated it:
A biography of someone I'd never heard of before and now wonder why not. This is the story of a very intelligent, curious woman who traveled extensively, especially in the Middle East. She had such a full life, it makes for interesting reading if not dramatic and thrilling. The book is written very well; the flow is flawless and it was a pleasure to read.
Dec 31, 2008
Michelle
rated it:
Very good bio of a very fascinating woman. I just read a book that referenced Freya Stark's route through Iran in her book Valleys of the Assassins, so I remembered that I'd always wanted to read this, and I'm glad I did. They just don't make'em like Freya Stark anymore. I enjoyed reading about even her foibles. This book is great for anyone who loves travel reading, unconventional women, or outrageous adventures.
Jul 02, 2007
Karen
rated it:
Wow, this is an amazing woman! Her endurance, tenacity and courage are an inspiration to all women. And men, too. She was an explorer and traveler in the best sense of these words, speaking the languages of the people she visited and getting to know them as human beings. She talked to everyone. Most of her journeys were undertaken with only a native guide and she traveled light, usually sleeping on the ground. The author presents Freya sympathetically, warts and all. I would like to have
More...
Oct 06, 2010
Carole
rated it:
I am just speechless (for a change). What an amazing woman - I don't know where to start! What I learned from this book is that I have never done anything or been anywhere. What I plan to do next is to start reading the books that Freya Start wrote! This biograpy is a good place to start learning about this incredible woman.
Sep 25, 2011
Roussie
rated it:
This complex and contradictory woman managed in the 1920s through WWII to become an expert on the middle east, traveling there through dangerous areas on her own. She's a fascinating character who achieved so much yet grieved the fact that she was not beautiful. A lot of mid east history, more than I could absorb.
Jun 06, 2009
Katherine
rated it:
If someone made up Freya Stark you wouldn't believe her. This is biographical writing at its best. Freya comes to life, the time she lived in is vividly illuminated and since so much of it formulated the Middle East we are dealing with today it is absorbing. Well-written, well-researched and a good read.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Feb 26, 2010
Read by ACRL Member of the Week Patricia Wand. Learn more about Patricia on the ACRL Insider blog.
Feb 03, 2012
Leslie
rated it: 
This was an interesting book with an interesting subject, though I found the writing a little flat. Freya Stark comes across as the kind of person I would admire at a distance and detest as a friend as she was very prone to using people. I'm glad to have learned about this adventurous woman.
Sep 30, 2009
Sharon
rated it:
The fascinating biography of Freya Stark, who traveled throughout Arabia and Persia between the two world wars. Her personal life was a mess, but she was an intrepid traveler, who demonstrated a strong respect for the Arab way of life. She learned several languages as an adult, used classical texts (e.g. Herodotus) as travel manuals, and discovered several valuable archeological sites. She published eleven books on Arabia, several others on Turkey, and her personal letters filled eight volume
More...
Mar 14, 2010
Michelle
rated it:
I love to read about women who have had adventurous lives in places beyond their homelands or passport nation.
2 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Sep 10, 2010
Kajsa
rated it:
An absorbing and exceptionally well-written book. Freya Stark was a force of Nature, truly inspiring.
Jun 10, 2009
Cheryl
rated it:
One of the first female adventure travelers. She travelled alone and helped a lot of people along the way.
Jan 08, 2011
Marilyn
rated it:
Enjoyed reading about a trailblazing woman, said to be one of the world's greatest letter writers.
Dec 10, 2009
Everyone who wanted to go to war in Iraq or is interested in the Middle East should read this book.
Aug 21, 2009
Rebecca
rated it:
A middle eastern adventuress following in the shadow of Gertrude Bell. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Dec 23, 2011
Nancy
rated it:
Freya Starke was a fascinating woman who spent most of her adult life (and she lived to be 100!) traveling. Despite her inner insecurity, due to a horrible accident when she was a child, she forged an incredible life for herself in areas of the Arab world unknown to most Europeans. She was recognized for her discoveries and her mapping knowledge of the geographic locations of remote archeological sites. She was also a popular writer several of whose books are still in print. Next I plan some
More...
Apr 16, 2010
Leslie
rated it:
Disclaimer: I skimmed the last half of the book. The story was interesting, just long and detailed to the point of being repetitive. Freya Stark was a fascinating woman who traveled in the middle east during the 1920s-1950s. Had the book not been due back to the library, I would have read the last half with more attention, but I got the gist...
