The Lost Oasis: The True Story Behind The English Patient

by Saul Kelly

The Lost Oasis tells the true story behind The English Patient . An extraordinary episode in World War II, it describes the Zerzura Club, a group of desert explorers and adventurers who indulged in desert travel by early-model-motor cars and airplanes, and who searched for lost desert oases and ancient cities of vanished civilizations. In reality, they were mapping the desert for military reasons and espionage. The club's members came from countries that soon would be England and the Allied Forces v. Italy and Germany. When war erupted in 1939, Ralph Bagnold founded the British Long Range Desert Group to spy on and disrupt Rommel's advance on Cairo, while a fellow club member, Hungarian Count Almasy, succeeded in placing German spies there. Ultimately, the British prevailed. Saul Kelly's riveting history draws on interviews with survivors and previously unknown documentary material in England, Italy, Germany, Hungary, and Egypt. His book reads like a thriller -- with one key it's all true.

Genres: History, Africa, World War II, Adventure, Nonfiction, Espionage

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[محمد معروف · Rating 4 out of 5]

قراءته مملة و متعبة في بعض الأجزاء، لكنه غني بالتفاصيل عن رحلات البحث عن واحات الصحراء الغربية (الصحراء الليبية)، بداية من رولفس الالماني، مرورا بأحمد حسنين باشا و الامير كمال الدين حسين، وصولا لـ"اعضاء نادي زرزورا"، خصوصا الضابط الانجليزي باجنولد و الكونت ألماشي (بطل رواية و فيلم ’المريض الإنجليزي‘)، اضافة لبضع التفاصيل المثيرة لعملية "سلام" و "كوندور" للمخابرات العسكرية الالمانية في مصر خلال الحرب العالمية الثانية، و التي اعتمدت بشكل كبير على رحلات الصحراء الاستكشافية السابقة.

[Johnny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took a while to get going because the early explorations were not given enough context I thought. Why were so many people trying to find these lost oases in the desert? Lots of detailed trips and expeditions which confused me somewhat. After the first 90 pages however the main characters (zerzura club) from this section bagnold, Clayton, prendergast, shaw, almasy all had clear roles in the war in the desert. Very interesting history of the lrdg and almasy's role in helping the axis powers. Puts to bed many of the claims around almasy. Lastly, the English patient film has several elements of the story here but even stronger elements are fictional and purely for the cinema.

[Jessie B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting account of the real life desert explorers who inspired the book and movie of the English Patient.

[Ian Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

An account of the international desert explorers in the 1930s Eastern Sahara, who later became wartime adversaries. Well written, and with excellent photographs.