Abstract
HERE Mr. Emanuel records a journey through Persia of a mixed party, described on one occasion by Reuter as of “undergraduates”. Though the author repudiates this designation, it does in some degree characterize them and their spirit of adventure. They belonged to the National Union of Students. Their route lay across Europe to Russia, and through the Caucasus into Persia, which they traversed to Meshed; and there they crossed the Afghan frontier for a brief stay at Herat. On their return they crossed the great Salt Desert of Persia, to their edification, if discomfort. Although this record is not intended to be in any sense a scientific study-anything in that nature is precluded by the rapidity with which the party travelled—the author has a keen eye for the distinctive characters of both peoples and places; and the freshness of his point of view and the acuteness of his observation give his book something more than a passing interest. It may be noted that the points which impressed him most in Persia were the sophistication of Persian people and society and the penetration of the Germans everywhere, especially in business, education and military matters.
The Wild Asses:
a Journey through Persia. By W. V. Emanuel. Pp. 362 + 12 plates. (London: Jonathan Cape, Ltd., 1939.) 12s. 6d. net.
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The Wild Asses. Nature 143, 959 (1939). https://doi.org/10.1038/143959c0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/143959c0