
THE THISTLE and THE CEDAR OF LEBANON,
PREFACE to the first edition.
INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.
CHAPTER I. SCENES OF EARLY CHILDHOOD.
CHAPTER II. PIRATICAL ATTACK ON BEYROUT.
CHAPTER III. DESCRIPTION OF DAMASCUS.
CHAPTER IV. THE AMERICAN MISSIONARIES AT BEYROUT.
CHAPTER V. EXCURSION TO CYPRUS.
CHAPTER VI. ALEPPO.
CHAPTER VII. ANTIOCH AND LATTAKIA.
A vivid portrait emerges as the author weaves together his own life story with a travelogue of his native Syria. From the bustling streets of Damascus to the quiet villages of the Lebanese hills, he shares personal anecdotes, encounters with local customs, and the everyday rhythms that shape his world. His voice balances scholarly observation with heartfelt recollection, inviting listeners to step into a landscape both familiar and exotic.
Beyond memoir, the work becomes a passionate appeal to British readers, urging them to look beyond distant headlines toward Syria’s untapped potential. Set against the backdrop of regional conflict and the reforms of Sultan Abdul Medjid, the narrative paints a picture of a land rich in natural beauty, resources, and cultural depth. The author hopes that his modest account might spark curiosity, compassion, and perhaps future collaboration that could benefit his homeland.
Language
en
Duration
~11 hours (688K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
Feb 18, 2011
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

A 19th-century Lebanese-born Syrian Christian doctor and traveler, he wrote with the eye of an observer and the warmth of a storyteller. His best-known work brings readers through Lebanon and the wider eastern Mediterranean in vivid, personal detail.
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