Arabian Sands

By: Wilfred Thesiger

Narrated by: Laurence Kennedy

Arabian Sands is Wilfred Thesiger’s stunning account of five years spent crossing the Arabian Peninsula by foot and on camels, with nomadic Bedouin tribesmen as guides. Travelling between 1945 and 1950, the British explorer treks through Yemen, the Empty Quarter, Oman, and parts of the then Trucial States, crossing and re-crossing around 250,000 miles of this most inhospitable terrain. He was the first European ever to set eyes on the dunes and wadis of these deserts.

Faced with constant challenges and trials beneath the punishing sun, his journey is also spiritual and enriching, as it requires the utmost courage, patience, generosity, and humor. In clear and evocative prose, Thesiger documents a journey of unimaginable hardship and startling beauty, as well as a time, place, and people on the cusp of change.

Download the accompanying reference guide.©1959 Wilfred Thesiger (P)2018 Naxos AudioBooks

INTERESTING

Just finished an absolutely enjoyable and educational book.
It is interesting that the author describes his travels between 1945 and 1950, so different than what you would encounter now.
The desert remains the same, but due to political differences, the people will have a different approach.
If you like to read about the nomads and Arabian history I highly recommend audible’s book “Ibn Saud”.
The narrator, mr. Laurence Kennedy, is a pleasure to listen to.
My thanks to all involved, JK

Unmissable, humbling epic of our time

You will not read an account of the Bedu in the same way today, or since. The humility, capacity for adventure, and cultural nuance of Thesiger in this book is a masterpiece in itself.

Fantastic narration

A perfect narration of a classic desert adventure book. extra words and some more. and more?

Masterpiece!

A wonderful listen for Emiratis and those interested in the history of the Khaleeji Bedous.

“As the plane climbed over the town and swung above the sea I knew how it felt to go into exile.”
- beautiful closing words by Mubarak bin London

Wonderful Cross-Cultural Exploration of Yore

Enjoyable, well-written memoir / journal of explorations among the Bedou. The author provides keen observations, personal reflections, adventure, and insight into another culture with its foibles, norms, and strengths. As the saying goes about Spartans in Greece, "Always admired, never imitated". Similarly, I'm glad to experience these explorations vicariously.