Atlantis of the Sands: The search for the lost city of Ubar by Ranulph Fiennes (1992)
Read: April 2011
Read almost entirely on the journies to and from Siwa over the easter break. Jane sent us this book via the P's who were coming out just before the break and I decided to have it as a bus read because I knew we'd be going through miles upon miles of desert.
The book was well chosen, as it too was miles upon miles of desert. Unidentifiable desert. Sand and sand. Tracks and tracks. Stories and guides. Retracing steps and imaginging new routes.
The books starts with Fiennes posted in Oman with the army and here he starts his interest in finding the lost city mainly through a passion and interest in the local people and the desert. As the book progresses Fiennes becomes arrogant about his achievements and need for sponsorship to basically have a jolly - it feels and the only redeeming feature is that his initial passion does lie with the people of the desert and a desire to explore and survive exploring the desert. It was good to read this book whilst we were doing our own desert travels; seeing how they would prepare for an expedition, who would they talk to to find the right track, what landmarks would they use etc. and it was interesting to read more about Oman, but didn't endear me to Fiennes himself so I doubt I'll seek out any of his other books.
Read: April 2011
Read almost entirely on the journies to and from Siwa over the easter break. Jane sent us this book via the P's who were coming out just before the break and I decided to have it as a bus read because I knew we'd be going through miles upon miles of desert.
The book was well chosen, as it too was miles upon miles of desert. Unidentifiable desert. Sand and sand. Tracks and tracks. Stories and guides. Retracing steps and imaginging new routes.
The books starts with Fiennes posted in Oman with the army and here he starts his interest in finding the lost city mainly through a passion and interest in the local people and the desert. As the book progresses Fiennes becomes arrogant about his achievements and need for sponsorship to basically have a jolly - it feels and the only redeeming feature is that his initial passion does lie with the people of the desert and a desire to explore and survive exploring the desert. It was good to read this book whilst we were doing our own desert travels; seeing how they would prepare for an expedition, who would they talk to to find the right track, what landmarks would they use etc. and it was interesting to read more about Oman, but didn't endear me to Fiennes himself so I doubt I'll seek out any of his other books.
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