Blind White Fish in Persia

This book probably suffered from being around 30 pages too long. Not the last 30 pages - although they could have done with some culling, but in general there was just that 10% of unnecessary writing.
Overall though - it was more a snapshot of the experiences of the 4 British students carrying out scientific research in Persia in 1950.

The book's title - which I guess initially intrigued me - is a bit of a red herring, (no pun intended) although it features twice in the book - initially where there is a vague rumour that the qanats (man-made waterways) contain fish - white and blind, and also that a policeman in Kirman to insult called one of the men a white fish.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book - whether it would be focussed on the scientific research, the cultural aspects of interaction with the locals, or focus on the travel aspects. In the end it covered all of these relatively evenly, and included some reflective passages on the ‘differences' in culture and people - perhaps some of these more philosophical thoughts could have been edited a bit harder).

Each of the four students undertook different research - the author on fish living in the qanats, another the soil conditions and crop rotation methods, another mapping villages and their cultivation areas and water collection areas, and the last a general botanic study of the countryside. As a sideline, they also collected specimen insects and animals (both live and preserved) and engaged the local people to collect these - and paid a small reward, which ensured there was a steady stream of people seeking them out. This book, concentrated on the work the author did, but touched briefly on the other researchers work.

The qanats themselves were interesting, and we get a bit of background on the theory behind them, their construction, their operation and the way they are financed, including how the water is paid for. Strangely, the fish within, while the central focus of the research, lack any conclusion - yes they are present, no the locals don't catch or eat them, but what sort of fish, how large do they get, how are they introduced to a new qanat? No, none of that. In fact, more than that - on reflection there are no real conclusions offered to the research of any of the students. Perhaps the book was rushed out after the expedition, but before the research was assessed?
Incidentally, Wikipedia has a good explanation of qanats: here

Preparation for the expedition, the actual travel from the UK to Persia, and the return journey were extensively covered, as were the health concerns and issues during their stay - hospitalisations occurred, jaundice was common, and fevers even more common.

Overall, with a bit more editing it could have sharpened up to a 4 star book. As it was there was a little too much of the mundane, and a bit too little action. It was however an interesting enough snapshot of Persia in the 1950s.

3 stars.