Burton Of Arabia The Life Story Of Sir Richard Francis Burton

Burton of Arabia is a biography written by Seton Dearden that tells the life story of Sir Richard Francis Burton. Burton was a British explorer, geographer, translator, writer, soldier, orientalist, cartographer, ethnologist, spy, linguist, poet, fencer, and diplomat. He is best known for his travels to the Middle East and Africa, where he explored regions that were previously unknown to Europeans. The book begins with Burton's early life and education, including his time at Oxford University. It then follows his travels to India, where he learned several languages and became an expert in Indian culture. The book also covers his travels to Arabia, where he disguised himself as a Muslim and completed the pilgrimage to Mecca, a feat that was considered impossible for non-Muslims at the time. Burton's life was full of adventure and danger, and the book details his many close calls with death, including a battle with a Somali tribe and a near-fatal illness in Africa. The book also explores Burton's personal life, including his marriage to Isabel Arundell, a devout Catholic who was often at odds with Burton's unorthodox beliefs and lifestyle. Throughout the book, Dearden provides context for Burton's travels and accomplishments, explaining the political and cultural climate of the time. He also draws on Burton's own writings, including his extensive journals, to give readers a sense of Burton's personality and motivations. Overall, Burton of Arabia is a comprehensive and engaging biography of a fascinating historical figure. It will appeal to anyone interested in exploration, adventure, or the history of the Middle East and Africa.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.