The Marsh Arabs (Penguin Classics) Paperback – January 2, 2008

An excellent read; the writing style is both descriptive and engaging, and the story itself fascinating. The book includes over a hundred photographic plates which augment the story tremendously, especially for the amazing reed mudhifs which are frequently the setting. (The photos and more can be found in the Pitt Rivers Museum collection).I have not yet read Arabian Sands but reviews of that earlier work complained about Thesiger's primitivism and romanticization of the Bedouin - I didn't see much of that in this book, only shades, and overall the telling is fairly forthright and balanced. Clearly Thesiger is no fan of modernization, but relative to the conditions in more urban Iraq at the time, there are no clear "rights" or "wrongs" on this position. In any event, it doesn't get in the way of the narrative, which captures a disappearing culture in rich depth and perspective.

Fantastically readable and intriguing book about the marshlands of Iraq and the Arabs who inhabited them, living in an aquatic manner (and operating a water-based economy) quite unlike the arid lands/desert lifestyle usually associated with Middle East Arabs. Unfortunately, Saddam Hussein drained most of these marshes because he knew the inhabitants would not bend to the ways of modern Iraq unless their water was taken away. Thankfully, we have the remarkable Wilfrid Thesiger to tell us about those days.Interesting companion reading (and more customary of what we think of as "Arabia"): ARABIAN SANDS, also by Wilfrid Thesiger.Arabian Sands (Penguin Classics).

Interesting view of a remote part of Africa I was not familiar with. Wondering what is there today and what life is like for the people that still live there, if possible. RB

I am studying the state. James C Scott has written several books discussing the state v. stateless peoples, deep in time and on the edges of modern states in our own time. One stateless people are (were) the Marsh Arabs, the book itself a charming odyssey among the marshes, lakes, peoples (tribes) of the Tigris - Euphrates delta. At another level, the book touches on the convergence between history and anthropology which is so useful today. (Not the author's intent; he's more of a wanderer or explorer. He writes beautifully.) Cheers.

Wilfred simply writes down what he saw heard or did.No judgements, no opinion just the facts.A must read.

Not up to Arabian sands standards

What a delightful read. Thesiger lived among the marsh Madan of Iraq several months of each year between 1951 to 1958. As he traveled thru the marshes by boat, he introduces the reader to the many friends he made and to the culture of a people he came to love. Since the marshes were drained to make way for "progress" and prosperity, this forgotten world is no more.

I am re-reading this with great pleasure, after many years. Thesiger paints a vivid and wonderous picture of the Southern Marshes of Iraq fell it all apart under Hussein, the draining of the marshes, war with Iran, and the effects of the Gulf War..