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Blind White Fish in Persia
This book gives an account of a small Oxford University expedition to Persia in 1950 to bring back specimens of a fish, allegedly white and sightless, which was said to inhabit the underground water-courses of Iran. Though the four young men that made up the expedition failed in their quest, they discovered rural Persia where villagers still led medieval lives. The story includes an account of the qanats - the underground irrigation and tunnels employing ancient technology which still criss-cross the country making life in the desert possible.
- GenresTravelNonfictionIran
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1953
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 11, 2021
This book probably suffered from being around 30 pages too long. Not the last 30 pages - although they could have done with some culling, but in general there was just that 10% of unnecessary writing.
Overall though - it was more a snapshot of the experiences of the 4 British students carrying out scientific research in Persia in 1950.
The book's title - which I guess initially intrigued me - is a bit of a red herring, (no pun intended) although it features twice in the book - initially where there is a vague rumour that the qanats (man-made waterways) contain fish - white and blind, and also that a policeman in Kirman to insult called one of the men a white fish.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book - whether it would be focussed on the scientific research, the cultural aspects of interaction with the locals, or focus on the travel aspects. In the end it covered all of these relatively evenly, and included some reflective passages on the 'differences' in culture and people - perhaps some of these more philosophical thoughts could have been edited a bit harder).
Each of the four students undertook different research - the author on fish living in the qanats, another the soil conditions and crop rotation methods, another mapping villages and their cultivation areas and water collection areas, and the last a general botanic study of the countryside. As a sideline, they also collected specimen insects and animals (both live and preserved) and engaged the local people to collect these - and paid a small reward, which ensured there was a steady stream of people seeking them out. This book, concentrated on the work the author did, but touched briefly on the other researchers work.
The qanats themselves were interesting, and we get a bit of background on the theory behind them, their construction, their operation and the way they are financed, including how the water is paid for. Strangely, the fish within, while the central focus of the research, lack any conclusion - yes they are present, no the locals don't catch or eat them, but what sort of fish, how large do they get, how are they introduced to a new qanat? No, none of that. In fact, more than that - on reflection there are no real conclusions offered to the research of any of the students. Perhaps the book was rushed out after the expedition, but before the research was assessed?
Incidentally, Wikipedia has a good explanation of qanats: here
Preparation for the expedition, the actual travel from the UK to Persia, and the return journey were extensively covered, as were the health concerns and issues during their stay - hospitalisations occurred, jaundice was common, and fevers even more common.
Overall, with a bit more editing it could have sharpened up to a 4 star book. As it was there was a little too much of the mundane, and a bit too little action. It was however an interesting enough snapshot of Persia in the 1950s.
3 stars.
Overall though - it was more a snapshot of the experiences of the 4 British students carrying out scientific research in Persia in 1950.
The book's title - which I guess initially intrigued me - is a bit of a red herring, (no pun intended) although it features twice in the book - initially where there is a vague rumour that the qanats (man-made waterways) contain fish - white and blind, and also that a policeman in Kirman to insult called one of the men a white fish.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book - whether it would be focussed on the scientific research, the cultural aspects of interaction with the locals, or focus on the travel aspects. In the end it covered all of these relatively evenly, and included some reflective passages on the 'differences' in culture and people - perhaps some of these more philosophical thoughts could have been edited a bit harder).
Each of the four students undertook different research - the author on fish living in the qanats, another the soil conditions and crop rotation methods, another mapping villages and their cultivation areas and water collection areas, and the last a general botanic study of the countryside. As a sideline, they also collected specimen insects and animals (both live and preserved) and engaged the local people to collect these - and paid a small reward, which ensured there was a steady stream of people seeking them out. This book, concentrated on the work the author did, but touched briefly on the other researchers work.
The qanats themselves were interesting, and we get a bit of background on the theory behind them, their construction, their operation and the way they are financed, including how the water is paid for. Strangely, the fish within, while the central focus of the research, lack any conclusion - yes they are present, no the locals don't catch or eat them, but what sort of fish, how large do they get, how are they introduced to a new qanat? No, none of that. In fact, more than that - on reflection there are no real conclusions offered to the research of any of the students. Perhaps the book was rushed out after the expedition, but before the research was assessed?
Incidentally, Wikipedia has a good explanation of qanats: here
Preparation for the expedition, the actual travel from the UK to Persia, and the return journey were extensively covered, as were the health concerns and issues during their stay - hospitalisations occurred, jaundice was common, and fevers even more common.
Overall, with a bit more editing it could have sharpened up to a 4 star book. As it was there was a little too much of the mundane, and a bit too little action. It was however an interesting enough snapshot of Persia in the 1950s.
3 stars.
February 17, 2018
A fascinating overland trip to, and around, 1950s Persia, on the pretext of exploring the ancient underground irrigation systems but actually looking for a mythical animal.
The author’s cheerful commentary and descriptions evoke a bygone age, but the story stands the test of time for me and was an enjoyable read (I have only read his last book about rafting the Atlantic before this).
My copy had a postscript, written over twenty years later, which provides a more satisfactory bookend to the original expedition and demonstrates the same sense of gently humorous observation in a different age.
A good read.
The author’s cheerful commentary and descriptions evoke a bygone age, but the story stands the test of time for me and was an enjoyable read (I have only read his last book about rafting the Atlantic before this).
My copy had a postscript, written over twenty years later, which provides a more satisfactory bookend to the original expedition and demonstrates the same sense of gently humorous observation in a different age.
A good read.
April 10, 2021
Read this book on the recommendation of a colleague who, like me, had been a tour leader on the Overland routes which originally went through Kerman near where Smith & his Oxford colleagues worked. I was familiar with the qanat system & found his exploration of them interesting. The fact that I knew the area & learnt something made me give a 4 star, but did find a lot of the book a little long & sometimes irrelevant & can understand why some readers found it tedious. Do agree that the title was really inappropriate & misleading as there were no blind white fish mentioned & certainly none found. An interesting book for Overlanders, but there are much better books.
June 3, 2011
I decided to stop reading this,life's too short and I really dont have the time to devote the concentration required to get through it at the moment!
It's May 2011 and Im giving it another go...
Well I finished it last night and am quite relieved to be honest! Forget the title of this book- there are no blind white fish mentioned, not a single photo of one- its basically a travelogue of the middle-east in 1950! Interesting in parts but its a part of the world I never want to visit so that impinged on the enjoyment of the book! The qanat system was interesting, thats about it!
It's May 2011 and Im giving it another go...
Well I finished it last night and am quite relieved to be honest! Forget the title of this book- there are no blind white fish mentioned, not a single photo of one- its basically a travelogue of the middle-east in 1950! Interesting in parts but its a part of the world I never want to visit so that impinged on the enjoyment of the book! The qanat system was interesting, thats about it!
May 20, 2012
Pretty enjoyable look at Persia in the 1950s as seen through the eyes of four Oxford students on a summer scientific expedition. Smith does a great job of describing the various people they met during their time there with respect, humor and humility, and, though there were a few slow parts, I found it a fairly entertaining read. It's really been kind of fun exploring all the free e-books that are out there!
April 28, 2009
Fairly well written travelogue, but ultimately I found it sort of dull.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews