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This book covers a number of expeditions into the Sinai Desert, the Egyptian Western Desert and the Libyan Desert over the period 1927 to 1932. Ralph Bagnold was the leader of the group carrying out these expeditions, with a few mainstay companions, and a number who slotted in and out, depending on whether they could obtain leave (mostly from the army) to attend. Initially most were stationed in Cairo at the time.
White the British Army Light Car patrols pioneered vehicle movement in the deserts of Egypt, it was Bagnold's team who pioneered the use of the Ford Model T for these journey. Into what was thought of as camel country, that had previously been limited to tracked vehicles which were slow and still required camels to support with field dumps and stores, the Model T's proved far more capable than the European vehicles used previously. With the various Model T's they custom built the framework of the bodies to contain all their long0range fuel tanks, water containers, spares, tools and equipment as well as stores.
While initially these expeditions were short in duration to suit their leave ability, so perhaps a week long, the later expeditions were much longer and as they increased they took on more scientific meaning. Insects, botany, birds and other aspects formed part of their work, as well as geology, archaeology and the detailed survey and mapping tasks - filling in the blank spaces on maps. While the southern boundaries of Libya were not agreed, they went as far as Chad and Sudan in their 1932 expedition.
As well as covering each of the expeditions in order, the middle chapters provide a detailed history of the Libyan Desert, and in the last chapter Bagnold speculates (scientifically) about Zerzula the fabled and never located lost oasis.
Beyond the scope of this book, Bagnold and his group makes up the origin of the famed Long Range Desert Group, which Bagnold himself was to set up in 1940, such was his expertise in the desert.
Throughout the book Bagnold himself remains self-effacing without any hint of boasting or complaining of hardships, but regularly owns up to decisions which would have been better made. The book is certainly heavy on detail, but for me at least this wasn't overly technical, and therefore not a barrier to my enjoyment. If by chance you are interested in sand and the sciences related to sand, this will be right up your alley...
4.5 stars, rounded up.
