Syria, the land of Lebanon

The book opens with a vivid sunrise over the famed “White Mountain,” the snow‑capped peaks that crown the Lebanese coast. The author’s lyrical description of mist‑clad ridges and the glittering sea invites listeners to feel the horizon shift from dreamlike haze to solid, ancient limestone. From this sweeping vista, the narrative gently guides us toward the bustling harbor of Beirut, hinting at the vibrant life waiting beyond the quiet slopes.

Written by a former instructor at the American College in Beirut, the work blends personal memoir with a careful travel guide. Richly illustrated chapters take us through Damascus’s bustling markets, the monumental ruins of Baalbek, the desert city of Palmyra, and the sacred cedar groves that have stood for centuries. Interwoven with photographs and scholarly notes, the author offers a heartfelt portrait of Syria and Lebanon as they appeared in the early 1900s—an intimate, richly detailed journey for anyone curious about the region’s natural beauty and deep history.