First published in 1982

The art of photography is now an immensely popular hobby throughout the world. However, when it first started it was available only to a very few people who had the money and determination to indulge in this activity. Then as now, each photograph is a reflection of the interests and tastes of the photographer, be he amateur or professional.

The present book is not just a collection of photographs but rather an illustrated historical record. In other words it is a chronicle which is brought dramatically to life by the photographs. As its title indicates the book deals with a region about which very little was known in the West during the nineteenth and early twentieth century.

It covers the region not only geographically but also sociologically and over a fairly long period of time. It spans the region from the heart of Arabia, through Western Arabia (Jeddah, Mecca and Medina), Yemen, Oman and the Gulf. It depicts the life of the Arab, not only rulers but also the ordinary people in their daily activities.

These photographs also show the changes which have taken place over the period from 1880 to 1950, giving the reader an opportunity to link the past with the present.