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Arabia: A Journey through the Heart of the Middle East
Following in the footsteps of great explorers such as Lawrence of Arabia and Wilfred Thesiger, Arabia is Levison Wood's account of his most complex expedition yet: circumnavigating the Arabian Peninsula. Travelling through some of the harshest and most beautiful environments on earth, he seeks to challenge our perceptions of an often misunderstood part of the world, seeing how the region has changed and examining the stories we don't often hear about in the media.
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Published November 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
April 9, 2019
This was my third book by Wood, and though I found it to be engaging, I felt it lacked something Walking the Nile and Walking the Himalayas possessed. It felt a little masochistically self-indulgent to place himself in such dangerous places at such a complicated time. Wood admits, he is addicted to travel, to adventure and to the thrill of exploring places fraught with conflict and complications. All that said, I sometimes felt he traveled through countries like Yemen and Syria, met people, heard their stories, but then moved on from them, which I found a little dissatisfying. I waned more. More insight, more contemplation of what can and must change, but maybe that's too tall an order. All in all, I enjoyed this book, which allowed me to play vicarious adventurer just as his previous ones did.
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Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
January 13, 2019
I don't generally write reviews but I felt compelled to review this book. After being intrigued by the subject matter of a journey through a region I have a great love for and connection with - and a journey undertaken at such a turbulent time - I had to purchase a copy. I've spent a fair amount of time in the region both living and visiting due to family and I found that - whilst highly engaging and very well written - I was a decidedly irritated by parts of this book and felt that I should add my voice to the conversation to address some issues it has.
Wood is certainly a talented writer and an intrepid explorer with the means to follow his dreams. His journey is thoroughly fascinating and he paints a great picture of his adventures - he's wonderful at portraying the sights, the smells, the aura, the culture, the history. The Middle East and wider region is a wonderful mosaic of cultures and ancient history. The tradition is rich and draws you in. It's a magical place. For this, the book is well worth reading.
However, Wood takes dramatic effect and artistic license to levels which are quite exaggerated and are - in my opinion at least - bordering on disrespectful towards the places they are centred on. Due to this, and other details which are rather exaggerated, I found part of myself struggling to finish this book without many dismayed exhales!
The portrayal of Israel/Palestine (no politics, please!), Lebanon and Syria were particularly troubling. How anyone who is this intrigued by the region and has the means to travel with a satellite phone, full support team back in the UK, military contacts, etc. is supposedly unaware of not being able to cross the Golan Heights into Syria - especially at a time of heightened tension - seems quite unbelievable to me. It's been fifty years since that area became a place that's essentially uncrossable for anyone but a few UN Peacekeepers and Druze orange sellers/families in desperate need of being reunited. It's certainly not difficult information to come across with a very brief internet search. Similarly, the closed border between Lebanon and Israel. This is basic knowledge of the region. I get adding drama, but this is a bit much for me.
In early 2018 the Jordanian-Syrian border was quite firmly closed. The government was not in control of large portions of it and a lot of the south was an active military zone. Things have changed since then. The Nasib border crossing, south of Daraa, is now open. It was not at the time, and was not even in the hands of the Syrian government. Anyone sneaking into Syria from Jordan - even with a Syrian visa in your passport - would certainly be taken into custody at the first Syrian Army checkpoint if this was the case. In Syria you always carry your passport or 'howiyeh' (ID), especially as a foreigner. It's no joke being there at present. The likely way to get from Jordan to Syria at the time would be to take a flight from Amman to Beirut, taxi to Damascus whilst entering the country legally - and then taking another taxi from Damascus to Suweida. I don't see an issue doing that - if that's what happened - or stating it in the book. It's a turbulent time in the region. If that's how it happened just say it. Don't mislead people and suggest otherwise. Please correct me if I'm wrong about this.
I could go on. In other basic knowledge: it doesn't take two days to take a taxi from Bsharri to Baalbek via Beirut. You can do that in an afternoon, rain or shine. Two days would be taking a day off in Beirut. Why we need to be portraying things in this manner is a little insulting. Lebanon has it's issues, yes - but it's a normal, functioning country in many respects. You can take a bus, a taxi, an Uber (yes, Lebanon has Uber) anywhere you want. It has modern roads and highways. It's not a ramshackle place where it takes days to take a 300 kilometre trip.
What I was left with from reading this, and being obviously upset by the portray of the above places, was about the places I haven't been and can make no claim to being knowledgeable of. If this annoys me - what about the other places? What other leaps of embellishment were taken?
Ultimately, please don't take this review as someone wanting to put any potential readers off. Read this book: it's gripping, it's an amazing tale, I look forward to seeing the documentary. But: do take some of the dramas with a fairly liberal pinch of salt. You can travel to many of these places and have a completely normal time. No fixers, no drama. I understand the need to sell books, but credibility - rather than the need to maintain a career - should be given more weight in my opinion.
Wood is certainly a talented writer and an intrepid explorer with the means to follow his dreams. His journey is thoroughly fascinating and he paints a great picture of his adventures - he's wonderful at portraying the sights, the smells, the aura, the culture, the history. The Middle East and wider region is a wonderful mosaic of cultures and ancient history. The tradition is rich and draws you in. It's a magical place. For this, the book is well worth reading.
However, Wood takes dramatic effect and artistic license to levels which are quite exaggerated and are - in my opinion at least - bordering on disrespectful towards the places they are centred on. Due to this, and other details which are rather exaggerated, I found part of myself struggling to finish this book without many dismayed exhales!
The portrayal of Israel/Palestine (no politics, please!), Lebanon and Syria were particularly troubling. How anyone who is this intrigued by the region and has the means to travel with a satellite phone, full support team back in the UK, military contacts, etc. is supposedly unaware of not being able to cross the Golan Heights into Syria - especially at a time of heightened tension - seems quite unbelievable to me. It's been fifty years since that area became a place that's essentially uncrossable for anyone but a few UN Peacekeepers and Druze orange sellers/families in desperate need of being reunited. It's certainly not difficult information to come across with a very brief internet search. Similarly, the closed border between Lebanon and Israel. This is basic knowledge of the region. I get adding drama, but this is a bit much for me.
In early 2018 the Jordanian-Syrian border was quite firmly closed. The government was not in control of large portions of it and a lot of the south was an active military zone. Things have changed since then. The Nasib border crossing, south of Daraa, is now open. It was not at the time, and was not even in the hands of the Syrian government. Anyone sneaking into Syria from Jordan - even with a Syrian visa in your passport - would certainly be taken into custody at the first Syrian Army checkpoint if this was the case. In Syria you always carry your passport or 'howiyeh' (ID), especially as a foreigner. It's no joke being there at present. The likely way to get from Jordan to Syria at the time would be to take a flight from Amman to Beirut, taxi to Damascus whilst entering the country legally - and then taking another taxi from Damascus to Suweida. I don't see an issue doing that - if that's what happened - or stating it in the book. It's a turbulent time in the region. If that's how it happened just say it. Don't mislead people and suggest otherwise. Please correct me if I'm wrong about this.
I could go on. In other basic knowledge: it doesn't take two days to take a taxi from Bsharri to Baalbek via Beirut. You can do that in an afternoon, rain or shine. Two days would be taking a day off in Beirut. Why we need to be portraying things in this manner is a little insulting. Lebanon has it's issues, yes - but it's a normal, functioning country in many respects. You can take a bus, a taxi, an Uber (yes, Lebanon has Uber) anywhere you want. It has modern roads and highways. It's not a ramshackle place where it takes days to take a 300 kilometre trip.
What I was left with from reading this, and being obviously upset by the portray of the above places, was about the places I haven't been and can make no claim to being knowledgeable of. If this annoys me - what about the other places? What other leaps of embellishment were taken?
Ultimately, please don't take this review as someone wanting to put any potential readers off. Read this book: it's gripping, it's an amazing tale, I look forward to seeing the documentary. But: do take some of the dramas with a fairly liberal pinch of salt. You can travel to many of these places and have a completely normal time. No fixers, no drama. I understand the need to sell books, but credibility - rather than the need to maintain a career - should be given more weight in my opinion.
November 22, 2019
Wood’s travel narrative is hard to put down. The journey combines both old and new. He visits a train blown off its tracks by Lawrence of Arabia and his Arab warriors during the First World War. In Dubai, he marvels over the glass and steel skyscrapers that dominate the horizon.
As a former British solider, Wood is a fearless and curious traveler . He doesn’t say no to adventure and spends a lot of time getting into countries with borders closed due war. His family meet him for Christmas in Bethlehem and he crosses the Red Sea in a less than seaworthy boat.
Perhaps, the most interesting part of his book are the people he meets and talks with on his journey. I learned a great deal about our changing world from reading this book.
As a former British solider, Wood is a fearless and curious traveler . He doesn’t say no to adventure and spends a lot of time getting into countries with borders closed due war. His family meet him for Christmas in Bethlehem and he crosses the Red Sea in a less than seaworthy boat.
Perhaps, the most interesting part of his book are the people he meets and talks with on his journey. I learned a great deal about our changing world from reading this book.
April 13, 2020
Levison Wood is a fantastic explorer and has a great support team.This time also he doesn't disappoint.His circumnavigation really shows "what is what" in Arabian peninsula.The choice of words is also great and the book being distributed into small chapters means that the reader is never bored.
There are two shortcomings viz how did Lev make it to Saudi Arabia from Djibouti and how did he trust a Bedu by just looking at him in Jordan.
Otherwise, the book may not be a benchmark in travel across Arabian Peninsula but is a goodread.I am waiting for the tv series (which I suppose will be made soon).
There are two shortcomings viz how did Lev make it to Saudi Arabia from Djibouti and how did he trust a Bedu by just looking at him in Jordan.
Otherwise, the book may not be a benchmark in travel across Arabian Peninsula but is a goodread.I am waiting for the tv series (which I suppose will be made soon).
February 26, 2019
Arabia. Just the name sounds exotic, and it is a place of ancient history with human traces going back some 7000 years. The northern part of this land is considered the birthplace of civilisation and it is where three of the world's religions. More recently though it has been the place of wars, either from external enemies or internal conflict. This makes it one of the most dangerous regions on the planet to travel in. When Levison Wood mooted the idea of travelling in the region to his friends he was met with either stunned silence of lots of swearing whilst questioning his sanity. They didn't manage to persuade him to drop the idea though so he began to plan. Syria seemed a good place to start…
He wanted to follow in the steps of some of the great explorers of the Peninsula like Lawrence of Arabia and Wilfred Thesiger and he was aiming to visit safe countries like Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates as well as venturing into the riskier ones like Yemen and Iraq. He has to take a minor detour on the route to Africa travelling across the Arabian Sea in a tiny dhow to Somalia. Through the tiny country of Djibouti and then onto Saudi Arabia where he was accompanied by a government representative through the country. Even with his chaperone, he still managed to get a good flavour of the country.
Next up was Jordan, where he spent the time hitchhiking from town to town across the country and seeing ancient ruins and dining with shepherds. The next country beckoned; Palestine. A chance meeting with a man called Saleh opened the opportunity for him to walk from Jericho to Bethlehem where he was to be reunited with his family for Christmas. After the celebration, he was back on the road and heading to the West Bank. The tension in Israel and Palestine is palpable and could be cut by a knife and walking through would give him the briefest insight into the situation there. That left one country to go back to go complete his journey around the region, and that was back to Syria…
This is an enjoyable book about his journey around the Arabian peninsula where he almost goes back to basics with travelling, relying on people that he meets to get him from one place to another. In his travels, he finds the common threads that link the cultures across the region as well as the significant differences in each of the peoples that make them unique. As with all of his other books it is worth reading for a perspective on our world that most people won't get to experience.
He wanted to follow in the steps of some of the great explorers of the Peninsula like Lawrence of Arabia and Wilfred Thesiger and he was aiming to visit safe countries like Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates as well as venturing into the riskier ones like Yemen and Iraq. He has to take a minor detour on the route to Africa travelling across the Arabian Sea in a tiny dhow to Somalia. Through the tiny country of Djibouti and then onto Saudi Arabia where he was accompanied by a government representative through the country. Even with his chaperone, he still managed to get a good flavour of the country.
Next up was Jordan, where he spent the time hitchhiking from town to town across the country and seeing ancient ruins and dining with shepherds. The next country beckoned; Palestine. A chance meeting with a man called Saleh opened the opportunity for him to walk from Jericho to Bethlehem where he was to be reunited with his family for Christmas. After the celebration, he was back on the road and heading to the West Bank. The tension in Israel and Palestine is palpable and could be cut by a knife and walking through would give him the briefest insight into the situation there. That left one country to go back to go complete his journey around the region, and that was back to Syria…
This is an enjoyable book about his journey around the Arabian peninsula where he almost goes back to basics with travelling, relying on people that he meets to get him from one place to another. In his travels, he finds the common threads that link the cultures across the region as well as the significant differences in each of the peoples that make them unique. As with all of his other books it is worth reading for a perspective on our world that most people won't get to experience.
September 30, 2019
Levison delivers again in this, his fifth and most hair raising travelogue. This time travelling through the Middle East and Arabian Peninsula, he rubs shoulders with Hezbollah, ISIS and factions of al-Qaeda on the front line of fighting trying to gain greater insight into this fascinating region that constantly dominates the news. As if that wasn’t dodgy enough he also travels to Yemen and Somalia avoiding pirates en route all in the name of delivering another ripping yarn.
Arabia differs from most of Wood's other books in that it is not a walking adventure. Greater emphasis is therefore placed on places he visits and the people he meets. And it is these meetings and discussions with the "ordinary" people, as opposed to the higher octane "dangerous" people, where the quality of Wood's writing shines through as he is able to convey attitudes and opinions that he doesn't necessarily agree with in sensitive fashion. I'm not entirely sure how much poetic license was taken when writing about his travels, and at times I really did begin to wonder, but there's no denying that Woods has delivered another compelling and gripping read.
Tiring of the constant time spent travelling, Woods mentions that this might be his last great adventure. For us keen armchair travellers who are adventurers at heart, I really hope that isn't the case.
Arabia differs from most of Wood's other books in that it is not a walking adventure. Greater emphasis is therefore placed on places he visits and the people he meets. And it is these meetings and discussions with the "ordinary" people, as opposed to the higher octane "dangerous" people, where the quality of Wood's writing shines through as he is able to convey attitudes and opinions that he doesn't necessarily agree with in sensitive fashion. I'm not entirely sure how much poetic license was taken when writing about his travels, and at times I really did begin to wonder, but there's no denying that Woods has delivered another compelling and gripping read.
Tiring of the constant time spent travelling, Woods mentions that this might be his last great adventure. For us keen armchair travellers who are adventurers at heart, I really hope that isn't the case.
October 31, 2018
I bought a signed copy of the book at an evening with Levison in Leeds. Hearing Levison talk about the journey and seeing some of the footage made me rush home and jump right in.
The endearing thing about the way Levison tells his story is the interaction he has with the people he meets along the way and the guides he travels with.
His curiosity and depiction of 'Arabia' shines a new light on a part of the world we are exposed to through the medias suspicious eyes. True adventure travel made all the more exciting because of the risk involved!
Danger aside, it is also very funny:
"One fighter, who looked like he'd torn men apart with his bare hands, seemed to be wearing his child's rucksack. In stark contrast to his green fatigues was a pink plastic backpack covered in cartoons. It was as if the cast of Mad Max had met Lawrence of Arabia and were off to a party."
The endearing thing about the way Levison tells his story is the interaction he has with the people he meets along the way and the guides he travels with.
His curiosity and depiction of 'Arabia' shines a new light on a part of the world we are exposed to through the medias suspicious eyes. True adventure travel made all the more exciting because of the risk involved!
Danger aside, it is also very funny:
"One fighter, who looked like he'd torn men apart with his bare hands, seemed to be wearing his child's rucksack. In stark contrast to his green fatigues was a pink plastic backpack covered in cartoons. It was as if the cast of Mad Max had met Lawrence of Arabia and were off to a party."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2019
A very accessible book into the complexities of an area of the world very few of us go to. A great read especially if you want to find out more about the region and not just about the conflicts but also about how traditions have changed.
February 15, 2022
I found this to be quite patronising.
The author's Omani guide tells him of how the Empty Quarter was named by the local people but Wood knows better: he has "read somewhere" that in fact that part of Arabia was named by a European explorer. 100/100 for ethnocentrism.
Later in Palestine he tries to take a "neutral" approach reporting without comment a Zionist claim that the word Palestine didn't exist before the 1960s. A few pages later he mentions as an aside that the English word originated from the ancient Philistines (12th - 6th centuries BC) but this fact was not used to dispute or contextualise the earlier Zionist quote which was left to stand unchecked.
A quick read and the author reports interesting encounters in the regional war zones however overall this was a disappointing book.
The author's Omani guide tells him of how the Empty Quarter was named by the local people but Wood knows better: he has "read somewhere" that in fact that part of Arabia was named by a European explorer. 100/100 for ethnocentrism.
Later in Palestine he tries to take a "neutral" approach reporting without comment a Zionist claim that the word Palestine didn't exist before the 1960s. A few pages later he mentions as an aside that the English word originated from the ancient Philistines (12th - 6th centuries BC) but this fact was not used to dispute or contextualise the earlier Zionist quote which was left to stand unchecked.
A quick read and the author reports interesting encounters in the regional war zones however overall this was a disappointing book.
January 20, 2019
Some books are just meant to be audiobooks, and this is one of them. Listening to the book felt as though I were listening to a documentary - having the actual adventurer / author read the story made it all the more better. It’s easy to drift off and feel as though the narrator is simply sat beside you, telling you all about his travels.
The story had the perfect mix of adventure, education and personality - all seamlessly intertwined together to create a seriously compelling narrative.
Absolutely recommend this book.
The story had the perfect mix of adventure, education and personality - all seamlessly intertwined together to create a seriously compelling narrative.
Absolutely recommend this book.
August 5, 2023
This books tells a story about a remarkable journey through the Middle East. It captures different cultures and the ways they coexistence, it captures war torn countries on the one side and very progressive and somewhat safe countries on the other. Apart from being a physical journey, the writer also undergoes a personal journey. Apart from this I have learned a lot about Arabia itself, from the personal stories which are found plenty in the book. The book did not answer the question why the Middle East is such a war-torn region. It is a question that seems to be unanswerable. One quote, from one of the people the writer met in his journey, for me, captures the real story of Arabia, one that is not told enough: “At the end of the day, there are no good guys or bad guys, people are just people.”
December 1, 2024
It took me over two years to read this book, although it is only 340 pages. At first, it was interesting to follow all the craziness the author engaged in. Yet, with pages, I became a bit bored, which explains my two years of reading.
It was cool to follow how the author crossed from Oman to Somali or travelled with the Iraqis as they fought ISIS. Yet, as for me, the book lacks a deeper political side of the story.
It was cool to follow how the author crossed from Oman to Somali or travelled with the Iraqis as they fought ISIS. Yet, as for me, the book lacks a deeper political side of the story.
November 9, 2025
I have always been fascinated by the middle east, it has been in my awareness due to the daily news and faraway tales for along as I remember.
I like Woods writing style, but I don't agree with his unspoilt view of arabia that he was chasing, it just seemed naive for such a well travelled adventurer.
Interesting in places and easy to read..but lacking something that I can't quite put my finger on.
I like Woods writing style, but I don't agree with his unspoilt view of arabia that he was chasing, it just seemed naive for such a well travelled adventurer.
Interesting in places and easy to read..but lacking something that I can't quite put my finger on.
February 21, 2019
In adding to Goodreads reviews I attempt to provide my thoughts on a work without including potential spoilers, for after all perception is in the eyes and mind of a reader and my words are but my rambling thoughts.
However with this work it will be difficult, but I will endeavor to minimize potential spoilers.
The author sets off to travel through Arabia circa 2017-18 in at times the footsteps of his idols Lawrence of Arabia and Sir Edward Burton. His stated goal is to do so independently, utilizing as one can, local guides along the way. Noble and tried and tested approach across the generations.
As you could expect, self realization, changes in previous concepts of certain nation states and on the ground unplanned experiences occur.
What I struggled with however is his definition and execution of "independently". As an ex serving military officer he continually recounts using past and "existing" contacts to secure both passage and guides. He refers often to his "support team" back in London who are making arrangements for him and indeed live tracking his movements via a gps, ready to call both the British government, Royal Navy and the on standby private security recovery team that he has at his disposal. Ever so evident whilst in a boat off the coast of Africa. To me, not independent in the least, yet continually articulated and portrayed as such.
There is a point when he is accused by locals as being no more than a sovereign state spy and not the independent photo journalist he pro-ports to be . I'm giving the author the benefit of the doubt and respect for both his IQ and that of the British Intelligence Community that this accusation is not actually in some part at least true, for whilst a poor cover on the ground, it would be infinitely less so in print.
Not independent travel, semi interesting read with some points of attempted and manufactured tension surrounded by little personal insight and some informed description of the countries visited.
2.5 reduced to 2 stars.
However with this work it will be difficult, but I will endeavor to minimize potential spoilers.
The author sets off to travel through Arabia circa 2017-18 in at times the footsteps of his idols Lawrence of Arabia and Sir Edward Burton. His stated goal is to do so independently, utilizing as one can, local guides along the way. Noble and tried and tested approach across the generations.
As you could expect, self realization, changes in previous concepts of certain nation states and on the ground unplanned experiences occur.
What I struggled with however is his definition and execution of "independently". As an ex serving military officer he continually recounts using past and "existing" contacts to secure both passage and guides. He refers often to his "support team" back in London who are making arrangements for him and indeed live tracking his movements via a gps, ready to call both the British government, Royal Navy and the on standby private security recovery team that he has at his disposal. Ever so evident whilst in a boat off the coast of Africa. To me, not independent in the least, yet continually articulated and portrayed as such.
There is a point when he is accused by locals as being no more than a sovereign state spy and not the independent photo journalist he pro-ports to be . I'm giving the author the benefit of the doubt and respect for both his IQ and that of the British Intelligence Community that this accusation is not actually in some part at least true, for whilst a poor cover on the ground, it would be infinitely less so in print.
Not independent travel, semi interesting read with some points of attempted and manufactured tension surrounded by little personal insight and some informed description of the countries visited.
2.5 reduced to 2 stars.
August 30, 2019
This is the first book I’ve read by the author. Evidently he is a seasoned traveler and adventure seeker. I read this due to my interest (fine, obsession) with the Middle East.
First the positive points: He is a decent writer and did his homework on the history of the places he was going to. He provides an excellent overview of the history of previous explorers of Arabia (stark, lawerence, bell, thesinger) and I share his respect and enthusiasm for these intrepid explorers who really forged their way through unknown territories. Negative points: the audiobook was tough because his voice just got to me after a while. But I suppose that’s just personal.. His “independent” travels including an extensive support team, military contacts, etc. While I don’t begrudge him this due to serious safety concerns in active war zones, he really does inflate the sense of solo travel and that just wasn’t the case. Which leads me to the artistic license which was clearly taken. I won’t say what was or was not true since I’ll never know, but he conveniently checked off every box in the top 10 for an Arabian tour including participating in a Palestinian protest and being shot at by Israel soldiers (eyeroll). But I will say that overall I enjoyed the book. I think it was mostly that I have read all the previous accounts he cited and visited many of the countries and sites he went to. Not consecutively or with nearly enough pomp and circumstance, but then again, i was actually traveling solo, and I am a woman. That’s a different experience altogether.
First the positive points: He is a decent writer and did his homework on the history of the places he was going to. He provides an excellent overview of the history of previous explorers of Arabia (stark, lawerence, bell, thesinger) and I share his respect and enthusiasm for these intrepid explorers who really forged their way through unknown territories. Negative points: the audiobook was tough because his voice just got to me after a while. But I suppose that’s just personal.. His “independent” travels including an extensive support team, military contacts, etc. While I don’t begrudge him this due to serious safety concerns in active war zones, he really does inflate the sense of solo travel and that just wasn’t the case. Which leads me to the artistic license which was clearly taken. I won’t say what was or was not true since I’ll never know, but he conveniently checked off every box in the top 10 for an Arabian tour including participating in a Palestinian protest and being shot at by Israel soldiers (eyeroll). But I will say that overall I enjoyed the book. I think it was mostly that I have read all the previous accounts he cited and visited many of the countries and sites he went to. Not consecutively or with nearly enough pomp and circumstance, but then again, i was actually traveling solo, and I am a woman. That’s a different experience altogether.
May 8, 2020
Being a travel addict and adventurist of his own kind; his book is no different and compliments his approach to life.
This escapade is certainly different from the others he has taken so far as Wood can be seen hitchhiking buses, cars and taking shelters to reach his destination.
The book accounts the life stories of people Wood meets throughout his journey. His plan of action for survival throughout his globetrotting is highly influenced by these people and their experiences. Not surprisingly, the book is seen to have accounted for a total of 13 countries that Wood travels.
The dangers lurking in the countries mentioned, herein, are also explicitly described with some having declared war with one another already. Yet some planning and plotting; waiting for the right time to do it.
This journey also talks about the ongoing and outrageous war in Iraq and Syria.
It is very fascinating to read how Wood crosses one border to enter another in the midst of the war.
The book also talks about some very menacing terrorist agencies like ISIS, MOSSAD and many more than are operational even today. The book explains well about their roles in the war at different times at different places which allow the reader to have a more real experience while reading the book.
The very essence of the book is given by photos provided and gives the reader an opportunity to be in Wood's shoes in order to experience his journey as a person.
While there is a lot to take in from this book; it is definitely one of those that stays with you long after you have turned the last page of it.
This escapade is certainly different from the others he has taken so far as Wood can be seen hitchhiking buses, cars and taking shelters to reach his destination.
The book accounts the life stories of people Wood meets throughout his journey. His plan of action for survival throughout his globetrotting is highly influenced by these people and their experiences. Not surprisingly, the book is seen to have accounted for a total of 13 countries that Wood travels.
The dangers lurking in the countries mentioned, herein, are also explicitly described with some having declared war with one another already. Yet some planning and plotting; waiting for the right time to do it.
This journey also talks about the ongoing and outrageous war in Iraq and Syria.
It is very fascinating to read how Wood crosses one border to enter another in the midst of the war.
The book also talks about some very menacing terrorist agencies like ISIS, MOSSAD and many more than are operational even today. The book explains well about their roles in the war at different times at different places which allow the reader to have a more real experience while reading the book.
The very essence of the book is given by photos provided and gives the reader an opportunity to be in Wood's shoes in order to experience his journey as a person.
While there is a lot to take in from this book; it is definitely one of those that stays with you long after you have turned the last page of it.
May 3, 2019
What's a better way to spend a road trip through the desert than to immerse yourself in an audiobook about travels in the Middle East. The length of this audiobook was just right for our trip to and from Bahrain.
Levison Wood is quite an adventurer, exploring many areas any normal tourist would never set foot in. He sets about his journey through war-torn land, peaceful towns, high-rolling cities and misunderstood frontiers. He shares his insights that could only be gained by being immersed with the region and interacting with locals. Living in the Middle East and visiting some of the countries in the region, I found his account interesting, insightful and also relatable. Very entertaining and apt for a road trip, 👍.
Levison Wood is quite an adventurer, exploring many areas any normal tourist would never set foot in. He sets about his journey through war-torn land, peaceful towns, high-rolling cities and misunderstood frontiers. He shares his insights that could only be gained by being immersed with the region and interacting with locals. Living in the Middle East and visiting some of the countries in the region, I found his account interesting, insightful and also relatable. Very entertaining and apt for a road trip, 👍.
November 8, 2021
A disappointment. The book gives great detail to some sections of the author's journey and virtually none to others. Why are there photos of the armed escort in Somaliland and the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan with no detail about either place? Somaliland may not be in Arabia but it is a fascinating place and according to the photo of the refugee camp the author visited at the invitation of UNESCO. Did neither of these locations make enough of an impression to be worthy of a few words? Apparently not. Perhaps I just didn't like the writing - yes, that could be it. Fortunately, the book was purchased at half price at Stanford's in London. I wouldn't have been happy about paying full price for something this patchy.
January 27, 2020
I sense the author employs artistic license quite often for the sake of dramatic effect--
An agent of Mossad meets with him at a cafe near the Syrian border...
Because of the author a sultan in Yemen is forced to flee to Oman...
Those are 2 examples where someone ought to say 'bull***t'...
There are many more, overall the book became unbelievable.
And as a reader you have to ask yourself, what is the purpose of Wood's journey? Was he trying to learn about the region and culture or was he trying solely to get info for a book to write to make money or trying to prove to everyone how crazy and dangerous he was?
An agent of Mossad meets with him at a cafe near the Syrian border...
Because of the author a sultan in Yemen is forced to flee to Oman...
Those are 2 examples where someone ought to say 'bull***t'...
There are many more, overall the book became unbelievable.
And as a reader you have to ask yourself, what is the purpose of Wood's journey? Was he trying to learn about the region and culture or was he trying solely to get info for a book to write to make money or trying to prove to everyone how crazy and dangerous he was?
April 15, 2019
An interesting read of a guy who travels as a form of self-challenge (if not self-torture). His adventures are interesting, but the thing seems often pointless and needlessly difficult. He wants to go over Oman's Empty Quarter by camel, because that's the traditional way -- even though people almost always use Range Rovers to do that now. The lessons he learns along the way aren't all that insightful. The book is interesting, though largely empty calories.
March 12, 2023
Aku gatau harus ngerating gimana, rasanya ga etis untuk memberi penilaian terhadap suatu cerita yang berdasarkan fenomena nyata yang terjadi di sepanjang perjalanan Levison Wood. Tapi rating ini akan aku beri berdasarkan penulisan.
Secara kepenulisan, jujur saya seringkali terdistraksi dengan banyaknya typo. Sepele, tapi jadi terasa kurang profesional (in some way?). Hal yang ditulis oleh Lev juga masih berdasarkan perspektif barat, walaupun judulnya yang dimaksudkan untuk mematahkan stereotipe wilayah Arabia.
[Tulisan ini merupakan bagian dari tugas mata kuliah Etnografi Asia Barat]
Sebenarnya menurut saya dari baca buku Arabia ini, memunculkan sebuah paradoks di tanah Saudi Arabia. Dimana Saudi menjadi wadah orang orang Muslim dari seluruh negara untuk bertemu. Namun, dengan adanya tensi antara Muslim Sunni (yang memiliki kekuatan di Arab) dan Syiah (yang memiliki kekuatan di Iran) menjadi sebuah permasalahan. Bahkan negara negara di luar menjadi korbannya yaitu salah satunya Yaman. Negara Yaman menjadi medan tempur antara kedua kelompok Muslim tersebut.
Bahkan saat Levison akhirnya dapat menginjak Arab Saudi setelah pengajuan visanya, yang berkali kali ditolak. Orang Arab sendiri mengatakan bahwa Muslim Syiah tidaklah termasuk penganut Islam. Jadi, pada dasarnya Muslim Syiah boleh datang dan melakukan haji. Namun, sangat bergantung pada tensi politik di Arab Saudi. Saat Levison berada di Yaman, yang sampai di 'kawal' oleh sultan di sana. Harus kembali ke Oman, yang pada awalnya ingin melanjutkan ke Arab Saudi lewat Djibouti. Hal ini dikarenakan adanya tensi antara negara Muslim Syiah dengan Arab Saudi. Saya melihat Yaman ini menjadi 'korban'. Karena penjajahan UEA dan Arab Saudi masih terjadi, yang juga disponsori oleh negara asing.
Dari keseluruhan buku, sebenarnya saya jadi sadar akan seberapa terkoneksinya atau pengaruh dari konflik satu negara dengan negara lainnya. Yang mungkin memang terjadi karena kesamaan 'bentuk' secara geografis, budaya, dan agama (yang mayoritas Islam). Sehingga politik agama menjadi alat tempat yang kuat di negara negara Asia Barat. Lalu adanya perspektif dari orang orang yang Levison temui dari satu negara, memandang orang dari negara lain.
Saat membaca buku ini, bagian yang sangat menyayat hati yaitu pada bagian yang menjelaskan mengenai Camp Spiecher, dimana beribu anak anak Syiah ditembak mati oleh ISIS. Dan bagaimana kekuatan barat terutama Amerika Serikat. Yang menjadi dalang dibalik pembentukan ISIS yaitu Rumsfeld. Bahwa anggota ISIS, awalnya sebuah pasukan bayaran dari tentara Irak, lalu saat kalah, dan pelarangan pembentukan pasukan militer, mengakibatkan adrenalin perang tersebut terwadahi di ISIS.
Jika di negara sebelumnya terdapat permasalahan HAM dalam ‘dunia kuno’ berbeda dengan permasalahan HAM di Uni Emirat Arab. Membuat saya cukup kaget, bahwa 85% populasi UEA adalah imigran. Yang membanjiri pasar sektor swasta, sedangkan orang lokal sendiri memiliki peran besar di sektor publik, kontrol militer, dan pemerintahan. Cerita dari orang yang Levison temui berkata bahwa imigran ini juga disuruh untuk membayar pajak. Dengan segala HAM dalam arti eksploitasi yang dilakukan oleh orang Arab UEA, dipersulitnya izin menetap, tetapi harus membayar pajak. Hal ini memunculkan pertanyaan mengenai perlindungan HAM. Apakah hal ini dilakukan untuk menekan imigran ini, agar bekerja terus menerus tanpa adanya perlindungan.
--
Pada bab akhir akhir pun juga, bahasannya semakin berat. Bahkan pada bab 21 aku sempat menangis. Kehadiran perempuan juga sangat minimal (walau yaa ngerti sih kenapa).
Aku juga cukup termotivasi sama kisah perjalannya. karena aku sebagai mahasiswa Antropologi, cukup relate dengan sebuah 'perjalanan'. Terkadang masih ada ketakutan ketakutan dan rasa tidak percaya diri untuk melakukan sebuah kerja etnografi.
Secara kepenulisan, jujur saya seringkali terdistraksi dengan banyaknya typo. Sepele, tapi jadi terasa kurang profesional (in some way?). Hal yang ditulis oleh Lev juga masih berdasarkan perspektif barat, walaupun judulnya yang dimaksudkan untuk mematahkan stereotipe wilayah Arabia.
[Tulisan ini merupakan bagian dari tugas mata kuliah Etnografi Asia Barat]
Sebenarnya menurut saya dari baca buku Arabia ini, memunculkan sebuah paradoks di tanah Saudi Arabia. Dimana Saudi menjadi wadah orang orang Muslim dari seluruh negara untuk bertemu. Namun, dengan adanya tensi antara Muslim Sunni (yang memiliki kekuatan di Arab) dan Syiah (yang memiliki kekuatan di Iran) menjadi sebuah permasalahan. Bahkan negara negara di luar menjadi korbannya yaitu salah satunya Yaman. Negara Yaman menjadi medan tempur antara kedua kelompok Muslim tersebut.
Bahkan saat Levison akhirnya dapat menginjak Arab Saudi setelah pengajuan visanya, yang berkali kali ditolak. Orang Arab sendiri mengatakan bahwa Muslim Syiah tidaklah termasuk penganut Islam. Jadi, pada dasarnya Muslim Syiah boleh datang dan melakukan haji. Namun, sangat bergantung pada tensi politik di Arab Saudi. Saat Levison berada di Yaman, yang sampai di 'kawal' oleh sultan di sana. Harus kembali ke Oman, yang pada awalnya ingin melanjutkan ke Arab Saudi lewat Djibouti. Hal ini dikarenakan adanya tensi antara negara Muslim Syiah dengan Arab Saudi. Saya melihat Yaman ini menjadi 'korban'. Karena penjajahan UEA dan Arab Saudi masih terjadi, yang juga disponsori oleh negara asing.
Dari keseluruhan buku, sebenarnya saya jadi sadar akan seberapa terkoneksinya atau pengaruh dari konflik satu negara dengan negara lainnya. Yang mungkin memang terjadi karena kesamaan 'bentuk' secara geografis, budaya, dan agama (yang mayoritas Islam). Sehingga politik agama menjadi alat tempat yang kuat di negara negara Asia Barat. Lalu adanya perspektif dari orang orang yang Levison temui dari satu negara, memandang orang dari negara lain.
Saat membaca buku ini, bagian yang sangat menyayat hati yaitu pada bagian yang menjelaskan mengenai Camp Spiecher, dimana beribu anak anak Syiah ditembak mati oleh ISIS. Dan bagaimana kekuatan barat terutama Amerika Serikat. Yang menjadi dalang dibalik pembentukan ISIS yaitu Rumsfeld. Bahwa anggota ISIS, awalnya sebuah pasukan bayaran dari tentara Irak, lalu saat kalah, dan pelarangan pembentukan pasukan militer, mengakibatkan adrenalin perang tersebut terwadahi di ISIS.
Jika di negara sebelumnya terdapat permasalahan HAM dalam ‘dunia kuno’ berbeda dengan permasalahan HAM di Uni Emirat Arab. Membuat saya cukup kaget, bahwa 85% populasi UEA adalah imigran. Yang membanjiri pasar sektor swasta, sedangkan orang lokal sendiri memiliki peran besar di sektor publik, kontrol militer, dan pemerintahan. Cerita dari orang yang Levison temui berkata bahwa imigran ini juga disuruh untuk membayar pajak. Dengan segala HAM dalam arti eksploitasi yang dilakukan oleh orang Arab UEA, dipersulitnya izin menetap, tetapi harus membayar pajak. Hal ini memunculkan pertanyaan mengenai perlindungan HAM. Apakah hal ini dilakukan untuk menekan imigran ini, agar bekerja terus menerus tanpa adanya perlindungan.
--
Pada bab akhir akhir pun juga, bahasannya semakin berat. Bahkan pada bab 21 aku sempat menangis. Kehadiran perempuan juga sangat minimal (walau yaa ngerti sih kenapa).
Aku juga cukup termotivasi sama kisah perjalannya. karena aku sebagai mahasiswa Antropologi, cukup relate dengan sebuah 'perjalanan'. Terkadang masih ada ketakutan ketakutan dan rasa tidak percaya diri untuk melakukan sebuah kerja etnografi.
October 20, 2022
I picked this up at a hostel because it was one of the only books in English. I likely never would have bought it for myself, but it was captivating from the first chapter. There is so much Westerners don’t understand about the Middle East. We are taught that they are and always will be the enemy. But Levison Wood’s travels proves they are just like us, if we just take the time to listen.
Page 110: Call it sentimentalism if you will, call it the Western lens if you must, but as travelers we go in search of the extraordinary, the different-not to drive wedges, but to do the opposite. To try to see beyond the pale, and beyond the clothes and stereotypes and labels that we do often assume. The traveler goes in search of an elusive treasure, that of truth, and what defines it.
Page 311: We sat in silence. I was welling up with emotion myself at the sight of this poor woman who’d lost her son, regardless of which side she was on. I asked if she would ever forgive them. ‘Forgive them?’ She shook her head and fell silent. A minute passed, and I thought perhaps I should never have asked. I felt rather self-conscious as she mulled over my dumb question. ‘They’re probably dead anyway,’ she eventually responded. ‘They were young boys, too, I’m sure. All dead. I must forgive them, I must forgive all those who push for war, and I must forgive myself. Hatred gets us nowhere. I must forgive, because otherwise all of this was for nothing. All we want for now is peace. I have to forgive for the sake of Syria.’
Page 110: Call it sentimentalism if you will, call it the Western lens if you must, but as travelers we go in search of the extraordinary, the different-not to drive wedges, but to do the opposite. To try to see beyond the pale, and beyond the clothes and stereotypes and labels that we do often assume. The traveler goes in search of an elusive treasure, that of truth, and what defines it.
Page 311: We sat in silence. I was welling up with emotion myself at the sight of this poor woman who’d lost her son, regardless of which side she was on. I asked if she would ever forgive them. ‘Forgive them?’ She shook her head and fell silent. A minute passed, and I thought perhaps I should never have asked. I felt rather self-conscious as she mulled over my dumb question. ‘They’re probably dead anyway,’ she eventually responded. ‘They were young boys, too, I’m sure. All dead. I must forgive them, I must forgive all those who push for war, and I must forgive myself. Hatred gets us nowhere. I must forgive, because otherwise all of this was for nothing. All we want for now is peace. I have to forgive for the sake of Syria.’
December 10, 2022
Have to say, Levison is crazy. There were moments in the book that could have easily been the final chapter or this book would have never been published but somehow it seems he survives. The motivation to do the crazy hike or trip around Arabia is not strong in my opinion from the nativity play story he mentions from his childhood but to each their own. Although he does seem to have had a fascination with ancient arabic history early on
Saying all those things though this book takes your imagination into Arabia even if you have never been and will not let you go until the last chapter and that's a tell of a great book. It's a very easy read and makes sure you take in the sights, smells and sounds of the different environments from different countries he goes into. The complicated war in the middle east is also touched on, in this book and it's mind boggling to say the least. The different characters he meets are the most outstanding for me and the generosity in the war torn lands. Overall you come away with a tiny bit of understanding of this region and go on an interesting journey in order to do that. Recommend any travellers to read this one as only a few people will see some of the countries that he visited because of continuous war.
Saying all those things though this book takes your imagination into Arabia even if you have never been and will not let you go until the last chapter and that's a tell of a great book. It's a very easy read and makes sure you take in the sights, smells and sounds of the different environments from different countries he goes into. The complicated war in the middle east is also touched on, in this book and it's mind boggling to say the least. The different characters he meets are the most outstanding for me and the generosity in the war torn lands. Overall you come away with a tiny bit of understanding of this region and go on an interesting journey in order to do that. Recommend any travellers to read this one as only a few people will see some of the countries that he visited because of continuous war.
March 18, 2023
Put it down and forgot to pick back up hence the long reading time. But incredibly fascinating book that delves deep in the the politics and everyday life of many of the middle eastern countries. Love the story and the journey, truly inspiring.
I do think I should be checked for a few inconsistencies in storytelling basically just things like (not real quotes but similar) “the hardest part of my journey is just beginning”…….”the hardest part of my journey is over”……”as I enter the hardest part of my journey yet”. It was just contradicting himself basically
I do think I should be checked for a few inconsistencies in storytelling basically just things like (not real quotes but similar) “the hardest part of my journey is just beginning”…….”the hardest part of my journey is over”……”as I enter the hardest part of my journey yet”. It was just contradicting himself basically
January 15, 2023
It is such an easy read but with lots of awesome information. Even me, being a Muslim, haven't been able to traverse all of those Arabian countries walked by Levison Wood except Mekah, Madinah and the UAE.
Anyway, if you are looking for information on the Arab countries and not keen to read the tourist brochures, then this book should be your rough guide. Levison did explore all the nooks and crannies and was there to experience first hand the horrors of war, the twisted politics, the beauty of empty deserts, the awesomeness of greens in a sand land, the marshes and snow-capped peak in Lubnan.
Anyway, if you are looking for information on the Arab countries and not keen to read the tourist brochures, then this book should be your rough guide. Levison did explore all the nooks and crannies and was there to experience first hand the horrors of war, the twisted politics, the beauty of empty deserts, the awesomeness of greens in a sand land, the marshes and snow-capped peak in Lubnan.
April 6, 2025
Incredible insight to the Arab world, and what a journey! It shows you how such a region is diverse, even though it shares a language, and religion, culturally they differ, but are all a kind and incredibly hospitable. It is a prime example that the western media is wrongly stereotyping, and shows the very confusing and very misunderstood complexities of the region.
April 22, 2023
Enjoyable travelogue of various countries in the Middle East.
July 13, 2023
Exciting, entertaining, insightful. Commendable.
September 25, 2023
Easy to read as it flows really well. Lots of great stories about a region of the world we often judge from afar. Made me want to get my walking boots on and head out there again as soon as possible.
June 9, 2024
A deep and unpredictable ride through Arabia. Levison Wood is a phenomenal storyteller and real adventurer.
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