Publisher's Synopsis
Burton of Arabia: The Life Story of Sir Richard Francis Burton is a biographical account of the life of the famous British explorer, linguist, and adventurer, Sir Richard Francis Burton. Written by Seton Dearden, the book provides a comprehensive overview of Burton's life, from his early years in England to his travels and adventures in far-off lands.The book begins by introducing Burton's family background and childhood, and goes on to describe his education at Oxford University and his early career in the British army. It then follows Burton's travels to India, where he learned several languages and became fascinated with the culture and customs of the region.The bulk of the book is devoted to Burton's travels in the Middle East, particularly his journeys to Arabia, where he disguised himself as a Muslim and made a pilgrimage to Mecca, a feat that was considered almost impossible for a non-Muslim at the time. The book also covers Burton's travels to East Africa, where he explored the region's geography, flora, and fauna, and his later years as a writer and translator.Throughout the book, Dearden provides a detailed and engaging portrait of Burton, highlighting his many accomplishments and his complex personality. She also explores the political and social context of Burton's travels, shedding light on the colonial attitudes and prejudices of the time.Overall, Burton of Arabia is a fascinating and informative biography that will appeal to anyone interested in the history of exploration and adventure, as well as those interested in the life and work of one of the most remarkable figures of the 19th century.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
