In Search of Kings and Conquerors: Gertrude Bell and the Archaeology of the Middle East

by Lisa Cooper

The extraordinary life of Gertrude Bell was marked by myriad achievements. Although best known for her intrepid desert travels and her part in the creation of the modern state of Iraq, she also made a significant contribution to the field of archaeology. At the height of her career, Bell journeyed into the heart of the Middle East retracing the steps of the ancient rulers who left tangible markers of their presence in the form of castles, palaces, mosques, tombs and temples. Among the many sites she visited were Ephesus, Binbirkilise and Carchemish in modern-day Turkey as well as Ukhaidir, Babylon and Najaf within the borders of modern Iraq. Lisa Cooper here explores Bell’s achievements, emphasizing the tenacious, inquisitive side of her extraordinary personality, the breadth of her knowledge and her overall contribution to the archaeology of the Middle East. Featuring many of Bell’s own photographs, this is a unique portrait of a remarkable life

Genres: Archaeology, Middle East

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 28, 2016

Reviews

[نورة الخضيري · Rating 3 out of 5]

وأخيرا أنهيت هذا الكتاب الثقيل ، وهذي مراجعتي البسيطة :
*من العنوان ظننت يتحدث عن مذكرات بيل ودورها السياسي في المنطقة.
*الكتاب يتحدث عن آثار الشام وبالأخص العراق.
*دور بيل في المنطقة لم يكن بحث عن الآثار ، وإنما دور جاسوسي كما قال الباحث الألماني (اندري).
*ذكر في الكتاب أن الجيوش الإسلامية نهبت محتويات إيوان كسرى ، لكن أخذ الآثار العراقية من البعثة الألمانية والبريطانية أطلق عليها غنائم حرب !!
* كثير من الآثار العراقية سرقت ولم يعد منها إلا القليل.
*كانت بيل تحتقر العرب وتنظر لهم بأنهم جهله ،بالمقابل بني قومها ازدروها وحقروها.
* تعرفت على كثير من الآثار كنت أجهلها ، ومن خلال وصف للمناطق الاثرية تمنيت زيارتها .

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Georgina Howell's biography is still my favorite, but any book about Gertrude Bell has to be read... This one is focused completely on her archaeological work, exactly as the title suggests. It's a very specific book that I think will be most enjoyed by people with interest in Middle Eastern archaeology. Many excerpts of descriptions and diagrams from her notebooks and even more photographs of sites. Some of the sites have since been destroyed and no longer exist. Others have crumbled and are in further ruin, so her photographs are of interest and valuable from a historical and documentary standpoint.
The book itself is not a particularly engaging read in terms of style, but if your interests fit the niche, I would recommend it anyway.