“The Sahara: A Cultural History” covers the history of the Great Desert, from prehistoric origins to today’s political dramas.
Millennia of human habitation, eleven modern nations, and landscapes that appeal and appall in equal measure: seas of sand and moonlike mountains, wastelands of rock and life-giving oases.
The Sahara’s human landscape is made up of nomads, hunters, farmers, and countless sword and gun-wielding invaders.
Others came bearing pens and paint brushes, and centuries of artists, authors, poets, and film-makers have found their muse in the Sahara.
Explorers, adventurers, and geographers have all crossed the Sahara, searching for gold, slaves, salt; for fame and fortune. Three million souls know the Great Desert as home.
For adventurers and armchair travellers alike, “The Sahara” is the perfect book. It is guaranteed to please all who delight in history; fans of film; devotees of poetry and prose; political junkies seeking understanding of contemporary North Africa; and all desert lovers!
The Sahara: A Cultural History
Praise for “The Sahara”
“A succinct and successful summary of the past, present and future of this surprisingly busy desert.”
-
-Michael Palin
““Eamonn Gearon is an amiable and well informed guide with a tremendous eye for a good anecdote. His story-telling canters across the huge expanse of the Sahara with assurance and wit. This book is vital background reading for anyone who wants to understand the deep roots of the Arab Spring.”
- David Loyn, BBC Foreign correspondent
“A painstaking study of a remarkable terrain and its equally extraordinary inhabitants.”
- Mick Herron, Geographical Magazine
“The enormous research that must have been undertaken to compile such a work is a great credit to Eamonn Gearon. It is a well-written book that armchair and desert travellers will appreciate. Explorers should certainly have a copy in their libraries.”
- Colonel John Blashford-Snell, OBE, President of the Scientific Exploration Society
“A wonderful book that is as rich as the Sahara is austere; educational, informative and inspiring.”
- Tim Butcher, author of Blood River and Chasing the Devil
“With the ‘Arab Spring’ affecting much of North Africa, this book provides a very useful introduction to exactly how the region has reached its present situation.”
- Dr Trevor James, Secretary of the British Historical Association
“… crafted with originality and ingenuity … a good sense of story-telling ...
an enjoyable read”
- Lirim Azemi, Think Africa Press
“For anyone who is interested in the Sahara it is well worth getting ... For width of learning, and skill in finding gems of interest, this book is hard to beat.”
- Robert Twigger, author of Angry White Pyjamas and other titles
Author Interview
© Eamonn Gearon
