Sir Richard Francis Burton (1821-90) is the most celebrated of Victorian scholar-explorers, not least known for his part in the perilous expedition under J.H. Speke, which led to the discovery of Lake Tanganyika. It was, however, an earlier journey that established his reputation as an adventurer and writer of courage and sensitivity when, disguised as a 'Darwaysh' (a wandering vagrant or merchant), he set out on a pilgrimage to Mecca. For a non-Muslim to be discovered under such circumstances meant certain death; but despite many alarms, Burton successfully completed his journey, thus being the first modern European to bring back a detailed record of his findings. Since the seventeenth century, only Burckhardt had similarly succeeded in extending our knowledge of that 'huge white blot which on our maps still notes the eastern and central regions of Arabia'. 'A Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah and Meccah remains a classic study of Arabia, her people and customs, at the end of the last century. These two volumes, here reproduced in facsimile from the memorial edition of 1893, contains all the plans, maps and illustrations of the original texts.

Sir Richard Francis Burton (1821-90) is the most celebrated of Victorian scholar-explorers, not least known for his part in the perilous expedition under J.H. Speke, which led to the discovery of Lake Tanganyika. It was, however, an earlier journey that established his reputation as an adventurer and writer of courage and sensitivity when, disguised as a 'Darwaysh' (a wandering vagrant or merchant), he set out on a pilgrimage to Mecca. For a non-Muslim to be discovered under such circumstances meant certain death; but despite many alarms, Burton successfully completed his journey, thus being the first modern European to bring back a detailed record of his findings. Since the seventeenth century, only Burckhardt had similarly succeeded in extending our knowledge of that 'huge white blot which on our maps still notes the eastern and central regions of Arabia'. 'A Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah and Meccah remains a classic study of Arabia, her people and customs, at the end of the last century. These two volumes, here reproduced in facsimile from the memorial edition of 1893, contains all the plans, maps and illustrations of the original texts.

Lady Isabel Burton (1831 96) was a distinguished nineteenth-century traveller, writer and critic. She and her husband Richard explored the Middle East, India, Africa and South America extensively during his diplomatic placements and for their own pleasure. Individually and collaboratively they produced several exquisitely detailed travelogues, recording custom, culture, politics and geography. This account of their travels, first published in 1879, details the Burtons' leisurely route to India through Europe before crossing the Mediterranean and continuing south through Egypt and the Arabian Peninsula. This skilful and humorous narrative brings the places and people to life through personal anecdotes, observations and colourful description. Burton's political and historical comments on the lands she travels through are reasoned, well-researched and afford valuable insight into public opinion and world affairs at this time.

Soon after returning from his celebrated journey to Mecca disguised as an Arab, Burton set out on a similarly perilous trip to the city of Harrar in the heart of little-known Somaliland. As related in the Preface to his journal: "He disappeared into the desert for four months...The way was long and weary, adventurous and dangerous, but at last the 'Dreadful City' was sighted, and relying on his good Star and audacity, he walked boldly in...His diplomacy on this occasion, his capacity for passing as an Arab, and his sound Mohammedan Theology, gave him ten days in the city, where he slept every night in danger of his life."His journey to Harrar, the account of his stay, and the gruelling story of his return across the desert, are here contained in this fine facsimile of the two-volume memorial edition of 1894, complete with maps, plates and diagrams.

Soon after returning from his celebrated journey to Mecca disguised as an Arab, Burton set out on a similarly perilous trip to the city of Harrar in the heart of little-known Somaliland. As related in the preface to his journal: 'He disappeared into the desert for four months...The way was long and weary, adventurous and dangerous, but at last the 'Dreadful City' was sighted, and relying on his good Star and audacity, he walked boldly in...His diplomacy on this occasion, his capacity for passing as an Arab, and his sound Mohammedan Theology, gave him ten days in the city, where he slept every night in danger of his life.' His journey to Harrar, the account of his stay, and the gruelling story of his return across the desert, are here contained in this fine facsimile of the two-volume memorial edition of 1894, complete with maps, plates and diagrams.