Yemen : Travels in Dictionary Land

Tim Mackintosh-Smith's first book, a charming, modest and erudite account of his adopted homeland, the anomalous bit at the bottom end of the Arabian peninsula. A well-balanced mixture of first-hand description, travel, history and anecdote. Probably outdated by the events of the last couple of years, but that doesn't really matter: this is classic, unpractical travel writing in the best traditions of Paddy Leigh Fermor.

A marvellously erudite account of Mackintosh-Smith's time in Yemen. So full to bursting with facts and information and historical digressions that it took me a few months to read - but I'm glad I did.

Travel books written by people who have a literary command of English are always really enjoyable and this is why Tim Mackintosh-Smith's books lend an added dimension to the travel genre. He lives in Yemen which means he is familiar with nuances of local life that the tourist traveller would miss and he speaks Arabic giving him a depth of local knowledge which makes his story even more fascinating. His visit to the isolated island of Suqutra was a highlight. I love his evocative writing and his wit.

I really enjoy Tim Macintosh-Smith's books (a number about Ibn Battutah - Moroccan traveller in the 14th C) and this was no exception. Yemen was a closed book to me before, and now I feel I have a little understanding of the stories and culture and history of a country central to the development of Islam.

Yemen > Description and travel/Mackintosh-Smith, Tim 1961- > Travel > Yemen