Journeys in Persia and Kurdistan, Volume 1 (of 2) Including a Summer in the Upper Karun Region and a Visit to the Nestorian Rayahs

A determined explorer chronicles two years of wandering through Persia and Kurdistan, turning correspondence into a lively portrait of lands few Western eyes have seen. The narrative opens with a summer spent in the rugged Upper Karun region, where scorching plains give way to soaring cliffs, and the author’s keen eye records both scenery and the practical hardships of long marches. Her habit of noting every detail, even when penned in haste, lends the account an immediacy that feels like listening to a traveler’s own breath.

Beyond the striking geography, the book introduces readers to the nomadic Bakhtiari and Feili Lurs, whose seasonal movements shape the countryside, and to the secluded Nestorian Rayah communities clinging to ancient traditions. Illustrated with maps and sketches drawn from contemporary photographs, the work balances vivid descriptions of village life, local customs, and towering mountains with a modest, scholarly tone that respects the complexity of the cultures she encounters. This thoughtful blend of personal adventure and careful observation makes the journey feel both intimate and enlightening.