Isabella Bird's second volume picks up her incredible solo journey through what is now Iran and Iraq. This isn't a leisurely tour. She travels by horse and mule through harsh mountains and deserts, often with only a few local guides for company. The "story" here is her day-to-day fight to keep moving forward. She faces bitter cold, illness, and constant uncertainty about where she'll sleep or if her path is safe. The real drama comes from the people she meets—from Kurdish chieftains and Persian governors to everyday families—and her blunt, often critical, take on their lives and the heavy hand of British and Russian politics in the region.

Why You Should Read It

Bird's voice is what makes this book special. She's fearless, opinionated, and endlessly curious. You feel like you're right there with her, sharing a meal in a smoky tent or trying to reason with a suspicious local official. She doesn't romanticize anything. She calls out hypocrisy and suffering when she sees it, whether it's in the treatment of women or the corruption of officials. Reading her account is like getting a raw, unfiltered snapshot of a world that was already disappearing. Her resilience is downright inspiring.

Final Verdict

Perfect for readers who love real-life adventures and strong, unconventional narrators. If you enjoy travel writing that's more about grit than glamour, or history told from the ground level by a sharp-eyed witness, you'll be captivated. It's a challenging but rewarding ride alongside one of the toughest travelers who ever lived.