A Reed Shaken by the Wind: Travels Among the Marsh Arabs of Iraq

A fantastic & enlightning read . Creating an understanding of a now extinct way of life

Bought this book after listening to a radio four program and very happy to have read it. It was nice to know history of Iraq and the views of an outsider at that time.

Thoroughly enjoyed reading Maxwell's account of his travels amongst the marsh Arabs of Southern Iraq. Maxwell's description of the physical terrain, and the animals and people who inhabit it, is simply spell-binding. Very sad to think that it has all been destroyed by the likes of Saddam Hussein. Would have been truly wonderful to have enjoyed the experience that Gavin Maxwell had there at the time. As a bonus Maxwell got to travel through the marshes with the doyen of explorers Wilfred Thesiger. They formed an effective if contrasting combination and their travelling relationship provides an interesting sub-text to the overall journey. If you get the chance to read this book take it..

Fascinating book, well written

You'll find this dreary and too factual if you're used to the usual Gavin Maxwell books about his otters and Highland lifestyle. It does show how Maxwell's initial interest in otters was sparked though.

A real page turner, beautifully written and the beginning of his feeling for animals. His sensitivity made me cry. Cant wait to see if there are more books by him.

Turn the pages back to an Arabic culture almost lost on the onset of a 20th centurywar written in the 50's with directness of the author who was the campaigner who intoduced us to otters and without Gavin Maxwell we'd never have these animals living in our rivers. Gavin Maxwell tells us about the marsh arabs with an insight into their culture which is informative and the text flows very well. When reading the book it is well very described and could imagine the back drop of the setting.

Brilliant descriptions of colours of sky and water. Relatively little anthropological data about the Marsh Arabs and not much about his relationship with Thesiger.

Received in poor condition

This is a revelatory book about the culture of the Marsh Arabs in Iraq. The author travels with the famous expert, Wilfred Theisiger and gives the reader a deep understanding of why Iraq will resist any central government's attempt to form a cohesive central government. A classic!

It did take awhile to get into this book, but once I did, I had a difficult time putting it down. I finished it in two days once I got past the 4th chapter. Maxwell has an extensive vocabulary and uses it well. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about the Arab culture. Maxwell learns what is and what is not socially acceptable to Arabs.

Fascinating personal perspective of this unique culture from an outsider.

Very good, a bit melodramatic but absolutely depicts the disappeared culture.