by Janet Wallach, 1996

This is an amazing story of a woman who played a major role in the early 20th century in the creation of the current country of Iraq.  She was one of the first women to attend Oxford and then went on to travel all over the Middle East.  In the course of her travels she met with tribal sheiks and became fluent in Arabic.  As a result of her adventures, she went to work for the British Foreign Service and played a key role in the ascendancy of Faisal as the first Iraqi king.

Gertrude Bell was an extraordinary person who excelled in a man’s world.  Her knowledge of the Middle East was unsurpassed and her influence was felt throughout the region.  Her story is fascinating, but the perspective that it provides of modern day Iraq is very thought provoking.  As I read the book, it seemed as if I were reading about the current state of affairs in that country rather than a historical view of it almost hundred years ago.  As a result of reading this book, I am even more aware of how difficult it will be for anyone to govern it in the future.  One could only wish that our leaders had as much insight into the history of this country before we launched the most recent war.

I recommend this book to anyone who wishes to read about a fascinating individual and her impact on the creation of the state of Iraq.  I also recommend it to anyone who would like to gain additional knowledge of the culture and politics of that region.