Unexplored Syria 2 Volume Set
Visits to the Libanus, the Tulúl el Safá, the Anti-Libanus, the Northern Libanus, and the 'Aláh

Published in 1872, this unusual two-volume guide explores the geography, natural history, politics and culture of Syria's remote provinces.

Richard Francis Burton (Author), Charles Frederick Tyrwhitt Drake (Author)

9781108052047, Cambridge University Press

Multiple-component retail product, published 28 June 2012

802 pages, 62 b/w illus. 2 maps
21.6 x 14 x 4.8 cm, 1.12 kg

After his diplomatic sojourn in Syria as consul in Damascus, Richard Francis Burton (1821–90) published, in 1872, this two-volume account of nineteenth-century Syria. It is the result of collaboration with several partners with specific expertise, primarily Charles Frederick Tyrwhitt Drake (1846–74) but also Burton's wife. Throughout his life Burton immersed himself in as many different cultures as possible. His natural aptitude for languages and disguise allowed him to frequently pass himself off as a native. The two years he was consul were eventful, including local uprisings, an assassination attempt and religious strife. This work reveals the unknown and extraordinary side of Syria, drawing on experiences of living and travelling in the country to explore the geography, natural history, politics and culture of remote provinces.

Volume 1: Preface
General remarks
1. Cartographic and other notes on the watershed of the Baalbak plain
2. Preliminary tour in the Jebel Duruz Hauran
Appendix 1. Observations taken with aneroid and thermometer
Appendix 2. Proverbia Communia Syriaca
Appendix 3. On writing a roll of the law
Appendix 4. Notes on the Hamah Stones. Volume 2: 1. A reconnaissance of the Anti-Libanus
2. Notes on the northern slopes of Lebanon
3. An exploration of the Alah or 'highland' of Syria
Appendix 1. Anthropological collections from the Holy Land
Appendix 2. Suggestions of readings for the Greek inscriptions not in M. Waddington
Appendix 3. Plants from the Lebanon not in the British Museum Herbarium
Index.

Subject Areas: Middle Eastern history [HBJF1]