Bygone Heat: Travels of an Idealist in the Middle East

‘how couldst thou take such journeys into fanatic Arabia?’ So C.W.R. Long begins his memoir with a quotation from Doughty and answers it affirmatively and with enduring enthusiasm and affection. He tells his story of over thirty years life and work in Muslim lands, including times as a diplomat. He begins at Cambridge and his career follows the turns and twists of history through Libya, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, the Sudan, Turkey, the UAE, Qatar and Jordan and – above all – Iraq, a country he continues to regard with the utmost affection, understanding and concern. The result is a memoir of grace and sensitivity in which his colleagues and local people of all levels come vividly to life and he embeds his story in the history, polities, geography, culture and social structure of the countries where he served. The author discounts the possiblity that his memoir offers any insight into matters of political or historical importance or sheds light on great events, and stresses that the book is intended to amuse. Nevertheless the reader will glean much from the author’s modest and low-key account of a career spent in one of the most turbulent regions of the globe and during a long period of continuing political turmoil. He seems always to have felt at home in Muslim lands and he regards events and personalities with a critical yet sympathetic eye.

how Couldst Thou Take Such Journeys Into Fanatic Arabia? Richard Long Begins His Memoir With A Quotation From Doughty And Answers It Affirmatively And With Enduring Enthusiasm And Affection. He Tells His Story Of Over Thirty Years Work As A Diplomat In Muslim Lands Through Libya, Turkey, Iran, Syria, The Lebanon, Egypt, Qatar, The Gulf And—above All—iraq, A Country He Continues To Regard With The Utmost Affection, Understanding, And Concern.

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long's Memoir Tells Of His 30 Years Of Experience As A Diplomat And Scholar In The Middle East. Tracing The Course Of His Career, And Following His Travels Through Libya, Iran, Lebanon, Sudan, Turkey, The U.a.e., Jordon, Quatar, And Iraq, The Book Conveys His Love For The Region And Its Cultures. It Also Provides A Closer View Of Historical And Political Developments In The Middle East, Including The Coup In Iraq, Civil War In Lebanon, A Failed Revolution In Sudan, And Riots In Turkey. Eight Pages Of Photographs Are Included. Distributed By Saint Martin's Press. Annotation C. Book News, Inc., Portland, Or (booknews.com)

"'How couldst thou take such journeys into fanatic Arabia?' Richard Long begins his memoir with a quotation from Doughty and answers it affirmatively and with enduring enthusiasm and affection. He tells his story of over thirty years work as a diplomat in Muslim lands through Libya, Turkey, Iran, Syria, the Lebanon, Egypt, Qatar, the Gulf and-above all-Iraq, a country he continues to regard with the utmost affection, understanding, and concern."--Bloomsbury Publishing