For years, I meant to read 'Arabian Sands', Wilfred Thesiger's account of two punishing camel journeys during the late 1940s across Southern Arabia's Empty Quarter. Now that I have, I can sheepishly join the chorus of those who revere the book as one of the half dozen greatest works of modern English travel writing.

Michael Dirda

Michael Dirda

Account Across Arabia Arabian Book Camel Chorus Dozen Empty English Greatest Half I Can Join Journeys Late Meant Modern Now Punishing Quarter Read Revere Sands Southern Those Travel Two Who Works Writing Years

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