Return to the Marshes

This is an evocation of the marsh Arabs, who inhabit "the cradle of civilization". The author first went there more in the 1950s, and on his return after 20 years he found that the changes, unlike many elsewhere, were for the better. An epilogue covering the Gulf War is included here.

---

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".