New book series reintroduces seminal works on Arabian history  

New book series reintroduces seminal works on Arabian history  
Richard Francis Burton embarked on an outlandish mission in search of the legendary gold mines of Midian, as detailed in ‘Land of Midian (Revisited).’ (Supplied)
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Updated 31 January 2025
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New book series reintroduces seminal works on Arabian history  

New book series reintroduces seminal works on Arabian history  
  • Travelogues from Burton, Doughty, Wellsted and Palgrave feature in Arabian Explorers Series  

DUBAI: Driven by romanticism, imperial ambition, and scholarly curiosity, a succession of European adventurers set sail for Arabia throughout the 19th century, laden with expectation and a desire to unravel its mysteries. For many, the goal was a deeper understanding of the region’s history, religion, geography, peoples, and wildlife, as well as the uncovering of Biblical truth. For some, natural history, ethnology, cartography, and archaeology were combined into a single expedition, resulting in the publication of multi-disciplinary personal narratives that fed the Victorian hunger for adventure, discovery, and escapism. 




William Gifford Palgrave was an intriguing figure who served variously as a soldier, interpreter, priest, missionary, spy, and diplomat. (Supplied)

Among them were Charles Montagu Doughty — the first European to enter Hegra, the Nabateans’ second city after Petra — and James Raymond Wellsted, a second lieutenant of the East India Company, who survived a hurricane off the coast of Magna and took part in a detailed study of the Gulf of Aqaba. Arguably the most famous, however, was the eccentric Englishman Richard Francis Burton, a complex figure remembered for his keen sense of adventure, overt Orientalism, and undertaking the Hajj in disguise. He also embarked on an outlandish mission in search of the legendary gold mines of Midian, an ancient region or tribal confederation mentioned in both the Qur’an and the Bible and thought to be located in north-west Arabia. 

The newly-published Arabian Explorers Series reintroduces travelogues by all three, as well as by William Gifford Palgrave, an intriguing figure who served variously as a soldier, interpreter, priest, missionary, spy, and diplomat. Published by Empty Quarter Press, the series seeks to bring the authors’ vivid depictions of Arabia to a new audience. 

“Throughout their journeys, each author recorded some of the most detailed analyses and observations of Arabia in the English language and precious details about society, cultural customs, political structures, ancient heritage sites, and the shifting power dynamics of the peninsula in this period,” says Jeff Eamon, editor-in-chief at Empty Quarter Press. “We aim to couch each text in its proper context so readers can appreciate their significant historical value (and) understand each author’s subjectivities and perspectives.” 




Charles Montagu Doughty was the first European to enter Hegra, the Nabateans’ second city after Petra. (Supplied)

The reprints include newly commissioned maps, glossaries, and forewords by leading historians, placing these complex and often provocative legacies in context. Included are new editions of Palgrave’s “Personal Narrative of a Year’s Journey Through Central and Eastern Arabia (1862-63),” first published in 1865; volume one of Burton’s “The Land of Midian (Revisited),” originally published in 1879; Wellsted’s “Travels in Arabia Volume Two,” printed in 1838; and Doughty’s “Travels in Arabia Deserta Volume One,” a monumental text first published in 1888. 

“Much of the written information that we have about 19th-century Arabia comes from these travelogues,” explains Eamon. “They have long provided precious information for scholars, students of history, and general readers interested in Arabian culture, social customs, and heritage. With Saudi Arabia’s current investment in its wealth of cultural assets and heritage sites, these publications are amazing sources of information. Doughty, for instance, is the first to document Hegra in minute detail, with detailed sketches of the Nabataean tombs, which have become a major part of Saudi Arabia’s cultural offering.” 




The four travelogues have inspired academic inquiry for over a century, but have also sparked debate, not least because of the biases inherent in their authors’ views. (Supplied)

The four travelogues have inspired academic inquiry for over a century, but have also sparked debate, not least because of the biases inherent in their authors’ views. Burton in particular, has faced accusations of Orientalism and of perpetuating stereotypical views of Arabia. His observations were often tinged with a sense of superiority and colonial arrogance, although he had great admiration for both Islam and Arab culture. 

“Burton’s views on the Arab world were complicated,” admits Dane Kennedy, a historian of the British imperial world and author of the foreword to “The Land of Midian (Revisited).” “His comments on the Bedouin could be highly critical, though he also promoted a romanticized view of them as princes of the desert. Furthermore, he was a forceful defender of the Islamic faith and Arab culture, so much so that many of his countrymen ostracized him, believing him to be a convert to Islam. 

“He was a man of many talents and vast contradictions. He was both an agent of British imperialism and a critic of it. He was a bigot and a relativist. He was, above all, a man of immense curiosity about other cultures, and he sought to satisfy that curiosity by learning some 25 languages, travelling widely across India, Arabia, Africa, Latin America, and other lands, and often acquiring an intimate knowledge of the local communities he encountered.” 




William Gifford Palgrave was the first Westerner to successfully cross the Arabian Peninsula from the Red Sea to the Arabian Gulf. (Supplied)

Palgrave, who made a foolhardy attempt to cross the Nafud desert in July without local guides and barely made it to salvation in Jubbah, also viewed the world through a Eurocentric, colonial lens. The first Westerner to successfully cross the Arabian Peninsula from the Red Sea to the Arabian Gulf (west to east), he travelled in disguise — as a Syrian physician — and filled his narrative with vivid, compelling observations of the landscapes, tribal dynamics, and cultural practices of the Arabian Peninsula. He achieved immediate acclaim upon the publication of “Personal Narrative,” thanks in part to his love of storytelling. 

“We are now more than 150 years on from Palgrave’s Arabian travels and his narrative can be read on various levels — from travelogue to adventure story,” says James Parry, a cultural heritage writer and author of the foreword to the new edition of “Personal Narrative.” “It’s worth remembering that he had a great sense of theatre and wrote his account with his audience very much in mind — it’s a very entertaining read. His descriptions of the places and tribes he visited are fascinating, even if some of his comments about local people and customs are seen as problematic today. They need to be understood as the product of their time, and his account as an historical document.” 

All four travelogues filled in much of the outside world’s knowledge of the Arabian Peninsula. Burton’s account of his journey from Cairo to Makkah, for example, gave the British public a much richer understanding of the region and its peoples. 

“Despite their flaws, it is important to recognize that each author spent years travelling in Arabia, learning the language and customs of its people long before mass transit made the peninsula easily accessible to outsiders,” says Eamon. “While some of their observations can be dismissed now, they nonetheless help paint a picture of pre-industrial Arabia.  

“History-telling is fickle,” he adds. “It carries with it the same baggage that weighs down any human experience. The Arabian Explorers Series is just this: a collection of human experiences, however flawed, that contribute to the broader mosaic that is the history of Arabia.” 


What We Are Reading Today: Endangered Eating by Sarah Lohman

What We Are Reading Today: Endangered Eating by Sarah Lohman
Updated 30 min 50 sec ago
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What We Are Reading Today: Endangered Eating by Sarah Lohman

What We Are Reading Today: Endangered Eating by Sarah Lohman

In “Endangered Eating,” Sarah Lohman draws inspiration from the Ark of Taste, a list compiled by Slow Food International that catalogues important regional foods whose distinct ingredients are at risk of being lost.

Animated by stories yet grounded in historical research, “Endangered Eating” gives readers the tools to support community food organizations and producers that work to preserve local culinary traditions and rare, cherished foods — before it’s too late.


What We Are Reading Today: ‘How to Be Enough’

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Updated 24 February 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘How to Be Enough’

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  • Hendriksen makes clear that self-acceptance is not innate but a skill honed through daily practice

Author: Ellen Hendriksen

This 2025 self-help book, “How to Be Enough,” by clinical psychologist Ellen Hendriksen, is a lifeline for anyone shackled by self-criticism or the relentless pursuit of perfection.

Hendriksen attempts to counter the toxic belief that achievement defines worth, arguing that perfectionism is less a virtue than an armor against vulnerability, and one that breeds anxiety and burnout.

Hendriksen’s approach is both clinical and deeply human. She weaves psychological research with raw, relatable stories — from high-achievers crumbling under self-imposed pressure to everyday struggles with inadequacy.

Her solution is what she terms “radical self-compassion” or treating oneself with the kindness of a close friend, especially in moments of failure.

Anchored by cognitive-behavioral techniques, Hendriksen advises readers to challenge distorted thoughts including catastrophizing or all-or-nothing thinking.

Mindfulness practices anchor individuals in the present, while realistic, process-driven goals replace the tyranny of unattainable outcomes, Hendriksen argues.

Hendriksen also confronts societal pressures — from social media comparisons to workplace demands — urging readers to redefine success on their own terms.

Practical exercises include journaling to track self-critical narratives, gratitude practices to shift focus from lack to abundance, and gradual exposure to feared scenarios to build resilience.

Hendriksen makes clear that self-acceptance is not innate but a skill honed through daily practice.

But here is the rub: Some may find the exercises daunting. Can journaling truly silence decades of self-doubt? Does “good enough” resonate in a world obsessed with excellence?

Hendriksen acknowledges the tension, offering no quick fixes but a promise: Liberation lies not in flawlessness, but in embracing imperfection.

Her prose is empathetic, almost conversational and the book’s strength is its unflinching honesty. It does not sugarcoat the work required but reframes it as a journey toward authenticity.

In the end, Hendriksen leaves us with a question: What if “enough” is not a ceiling but a foundation? By releasing the grip on perfection, readers may find not just peace, but the courage to live boldly — flaws and all.

Hendriksen’s “How to Be Enough” is a manifesto for the self-critical, a roadmap from exhaustion to empowerment.

It does not promise enlightenment but something better: a path to breathe freely in a world that demands you never stop running.

 


What We Are Reading Today: Henry V by Dan Jones

What We Are Reading Today: Henry V by Dan Jones
Updated 24 February 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: Henry V by Dan Jones

What We Are Reading Today: Henry V by Dan Jones

Dan Jones’ “Henry V” examines the life and leadership of England’s greatest medieval king.

in 1413, when Henry V ascended to the English throne, his kingdom was hopelessly torn apart by a political faction but in less than ten years, he turned it all around. by common consensus in his day, and for hundreds of years afterward, Henry was the greatest medieval king that ever lived.

A historical titan, Henry V transcends the Middle Ages which produced him, and his life story has much to teach us today.


REVIEW: ‘Starbound’ makes long-awaited console debut on Xbox

REVIEW: ‘Starbound’ makes long-awaited console debut on Xbox
Updated 24 February 2025
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REVIEW: ‘Starbound’ makes long-awaited console debut on Xbox

REVIEW: ‘Starbound’ makes long-awaited console debut on Xbox

LONDON: After years of being a PC favorite, “Starbound” finally launched on Xbox in October 2024, bringing its expansive sandbox adventure to a new audience.

With a follow-up quality-of-life update in December and a further boost by joining Xbox Game Pass in January, “Starbound” has the potential to reach more players than ever before. So, does this indie classic translate well to console gaming, or is it still best experienced on PC?

At its core, “Starbound” is a sandbox exploration game that lets players carve out their own journey among the stars. You begin by selecting a species (purely cosmetic in nature), escape from a doomed planet, and set off on an intergalactic adventure where you build, craft, explore and fight for survival. Unlike many crafting-based games, “Starbound” is not a grind-heavy experience; instead, it encourages creativity and discovery, providing an incredibly deep crafting system without forcing players into repetitive mechanics.

The game’s world is procedurally generated, meaning you will never run out of planets to visit. Each world has its own biomes, wildlife, and secrets to uncover. Some planets feel hospitable and lush, while others are barren and harsh, requiring players to adapt and prepare before diving into the unknown.

While “Starbound” features a central story involving the mysterious gate unlocked with Core Fragments, it does not force a linear progression — players are free to explore, build, and conquer at their own pace.

Despite its simple, pixel-art aesthetic, “Starbound” hides a surprising amount of complexity beneath the surface. Its crafting system is one of the deepest in the genre, allowing players to build everything from cozy homes to high-tech colonies. However, new players might find the initial learning curve steep. Navigation, especially on a controller, takes some getting used to, and the depth of options can feel overwhelming at first. That said, starting on Casual mode is highly recommended for beginners, because it removes some of the harsher survival elements and allows players to focus on exploration.

Combat in “Starbound” is an interesting mix of melee and ranged attacks, combined with energy management. Different weapons and abilities change the flow of combat, making it varied and engaging, although the game is not primarily focused on combat mechanics. Instead, survival and creativity take center stage.

Despite its simple, pixel-art aesthetic, “Starbound” hides a surprising amount of complexity beneath the surface. (Supplied)

While “Starbound” has made a mostly smooth transition to Xbox, it is clear that the game still feels as if it was designed primarily for PC. The user interface and navigation are not as intuitive with a controller as they are with a mouse and keyboard, making some menu-heavy interactions feel cumbersome. However, once you get used to the controls, the experience is still rewarding.

“Starbound” on Xbox is a welcome addition to the console’s indie lineup, offering a massive sandbox experience with nearly endless replayability. While the game’s PC origins are evident, patient players will find a rewarding and immersive world to explore.

If you enjoy sandbox crafting games and do not mind a bit of a learning curve, “Starbound” is well worth a try — especially now that it is on Game Pass.


What We Are Reading Today: Nationalism: A World History by Eric Storm

What We Are Reading Today: Nationalism: A World History by Eric Storm
Updated 23 February 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: Nationalism: A World History by Eric Storm

What We Are Reading Today: Nationalism: A World History by Eric Storm

The current rise of nationalism across the globe is a reminder that we are not, after all, living in a borderless world of virtual connectivity.

In “Nationalism,” historian Eric Storm sheds light on contemporary nationalist movements by exploring the global evolution of nationalism, beginning with the rise of the nation-state in the 18th century through the revival of nationalist ideas in the present day.