Freya Stark's experiences spreading propaganda for the Allied cause in the Middle East during the Second World War
East is West.
8vo. XXII, 218 pp. Red and black title-page with a small illustration of two people. With a frontispiece, a map of the Middle East on green paper, titled: "East is West by Freya Stark", and 32 double-sided plates. Blue/green cloth. With dust jacket.
€ 450,00
First edition, detailing the author's experiences in the Middle East during the Second World War. Stark (1893-1993) spent the duration of WWII travelling from Egypt to Iraq and from Syria to Southern Arabia. She had offered her services to the British Ministry of Information and was sent to the Middle East to persuade government officials, among others, to join, or keep on supporting, the Allied cause.
The book was written "with the freedom of the independent and adventurous traveller but also with the authority of an official of the Diplomatic Corps" (dust jacket blurb). Stark's writings are accompanied by many images of her own photographs, taken during her travels, showing the landscapes and peoples she encountered.
Dust jacket slightly soiled, binding shows some minor signs of wear, slight browning throughout. Overall in good condition.
Howgego IV, S 61. Macro 2111. Shapero, The Islamic World (2003), 460. Smith, The Yemens, 95. Cf. article "Freya Stark" in Encyclopaedia Britannica.
