Personal narrative of a pilgrimage to El-Medinah and Meccah

Under the auspices of the Royal Geographical Society, the legendary explorer, soldier, linguist and all-round Victorian action man Richard Burton undertook this famous ‘Pilgrimage to El-Medinah and Meccah’, departing England in the spring of 1853. At the time this part of the world was virtually unknown to European travellers since non-Muslims were not permitted to travel through most of the region. Burton overcame this by journeying in native attire and through the use of his incredible linguistic skills often managed to pass himself off as a local.
His exploits are the stuff of Hollywood films but can be read here in three enthralling volumes as described by the incomparable man himself. At the time these were eagerly devoured by a British public that couldn’t get enough of this heroic if roguish character, and time has only added to the romance and mystery of this epic adventure! When world attention is once more focussed on the MIddle East this is an unmissable account of the region and its people by one of the greatest travellers of all time.