Arabian Sands by Wilfred Thesiger

Written in 1959 about travels in the Empty Quarter, the last desert to be explored by Europeans. Thesiger, who grew up in the Middle East, traveled with the Bedu and earned their trust and protection. Suffering severe trials and escaping death from thirst, hunger, and most of all, Arabs who hated the "Christian," he traveled across the desert from well to lifesaving well. His insights on the tribes, Islam, camels and culture are well-written in fact and tone. A very rewarding travel story in the mid 40's about a culture from the past centuries now lost forever.