'In an age where writers feel the need to travel with fridges and pigs, this journey with a Tangerine stands out for its integrity and intelligence' Spectator
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The Thomas Cook/Daily Telegraph Travel Book Award is not handed out lightly, and is almost invariably given to travel writing of a rare order. Tim Mackintosh-Smith is a very worthy recipient, and Travels with a Tangerine will no doubt inspire (as did his earlier Yemen) comparisons to the giants of writing about the Arabic world, from Lawrence's Seven Pillars of Wisdom to Wilfred Thesiger.
Travels with a Tangerine is subtitled A Journey in the Footnotes of Ibn Battutah, and finds Mackintosh-Smith utilising his impressive knowledge of Arabic studies in a fascinating journey to find the real Arabia. For the past 17 years (when not travelling), he has lived in the Yemeni capital San'a, and this invaluable background has made him the perfect guide to the exotic landscapes of Arabia. Here, the author travels in the footsteps of a ghost. Ibn Battutah was the greatest traveller of the pre-mechanical age, setting out in 1325 from his native Tangier on a pilgrimage to Mecca. His journey took 29 years, and he visited most of the known world, travelling three times the distance that Marco Polo covered. Mackintosh-Smith set out to write a "trailer" or continuation of the original writings, and this utterly fascinating book covers the first stage in the Moroccan's bizarre and dangerous journey (brigands were only one of the dangers he faced). The destinations include a quaint Islamic Butlin's in the Egyptian desert, the shores of the Cimmerian Bosphoros and some of the most impressive cities of medieval Islam. All the details of his journey are conjured up with maximum vividness, from buffalo milk puddings and fishbone houses to the legendary dancing dervishes. The writing, always spare and elegant, makes this a highly compelling read for either the adventurer or the armchair traveller. --Barry Forshaw --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
'A gripping and accomplished travel book . . . [it] stands out for its integrity and intelligence' Anthony Sattin, Sunday Times Ibn Battutah was the greatest traveller of the pre-mechanical age, journeying for twenty nine years and covering three times the ground Marco Polo covered. Tim Mackintosh-Smith follows the first stage of Ibn Battutah's journey, from Tangier to Constantinople. Destinations include an Islamic Butlin's in the Egyptian desert, Assassin castles in Syria, the Kuria Maria Islands in the Arabian Sea and some of the greatest cities of Medeival Islam. He also cleverly compares the contemporary Muslim world with the past. 'Mackintosh-Smith slips effortlessly between our world and that of the fourteenth century. In doing so, he has created a gripping and accomplished travel book... We will be lucky if there is a better one published this year' Sunday Times 'An immensely engaging book...Subversive good humour without relentless jokiness; and a descriptive eye capable of sketching complext details in a few telling lines' Daily Telegraph
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By Milady
Format:Paperback
A fantastic read, although I have to admit I didn't understand all the vocabulary. It brings the colourful, wide and pluralistic world of medieval Islam to life, replete with amazing characters. I enjoyed it so much that when I finished I went straight back to the beginning. Absolutely wonderful as an introduction to many historical characters (like al-Ma'arri), so I am using it as a starting point to learn more. It beautifully belies the traditional view we have of the medival Islamic arts and culture having been so straight-laced and peopled with paragons.I only wish he would carry on and go all the way to China!
Beautiful travel writing from a master of wry and sympathetic observation. I also heartily recommend 'Travels in Dictionary Land'.
Beautiful travel writing from a master of wry and sympathetic observation. I also heartily recommend 'Travels in Dictionary Land'.
16 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This is indeed a wonderful book, as others have written. However, I think it weakens towards the end, when the author leaves the Arabic-speaking world and travels to Turkey and the Crimea. Here Tim Mackintosh-Smith, as he himself admits, is on less familiar cultural and linguistic grounds. As a result there are fewer of the conversations, arguments and jokes with local people that give the 'Arabic' section of his travels such a feeling of immediacy and intimacy. I look forward to future travels with a Tangerine, but I also hope that Mackintosh-Smith will give us more about Arabs and their world.
26 of 34 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
An excellent and timely exploration of Islamic culture, heritage and humanity. This is a beautifully written book whose learning and erudition is lightly worn. I found its humorous and loving accounts of people, places and history very reminiscent of Patrick Leigh-Fermor's 'A Time of Gifts' and 'Between the Woods and the Water' - it shared that same wistfulness and yet is an exploration of a vibrant modern world embedded in a deep historical and religious context. A marvellous antidote to all those over-earnest journalistic pieces on Islamic fundamentalism.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sweet tangerine
Although I haven't had chance to read this book yet, my nephew has it and loves it. He rates it as a superb read. I look forward to having my book back!
Published 13 months ago by Ms. D. M. Neale
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspiring stuff!
This is a wondrous piece of writing - I would recommend it to anyone who appreciates a well-turned phrase, whether or not you have any prior interest in Islam and its history. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Ruby Larkspur
5.0 out of 5 stars
An immensely engaging book...
Tim Mackintosh-Smith is an Englishman who is also an "Arabist," calling Sanaa, in the Yemen, home for over three decades. Read more
Published on 19 May 2011 by John P. Jones III
4.0 out of 5 stars
Travels with a Tangerine: A Journey in the Footnotes of the Battutah
good book. A bit too heavy on a lot of trivial detail which slows the narrative. But well written and enjoyable
Published on 16 Mar 2011 by william callan
5.0 out of 5 stars
a very interesting read
I really enjoyed this book. It is well written and full of fascinating encounters with people he meets on the way. Read more
Published on 6 Dec 2010 by Marc Jackson
2.0 out of 5 stars
Oh No Thanks!
I'm not really a fan of history books. Actually, let me rephrase that - I'm not a fan of history that doesn't interest me. Read more
Published on 18 Aug 2010 by L. Cully
5.0 out of 5 stars
travels with a tangerine
For a novice considering a writing career, I would urge you not to read this book. Why? Simple, because you will realise how inadequate you are and abandon your hopes. Read more
Published on 11 Feb 2010 by John Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars
travels with a tangerine
got this for a friend to remind him of trips to turkey and he loved it
Published on 5 May 2009 by Mrs. C. E. Hill
3.0 out of 5 stars
Tangerine grated
This book is well-researched and well-written. In many ways, it is a very admirable achievement. What grates slightly is the author's rather pompous, superior and patronising tone... Read more
Published on 3 Mar 2009 by Dave Gilmour's cat
5.0 out of 5 stars
A joy!!
This is without a doubt one of the best books I have ever read. Not just in terms of the fact that its very well written. Read more
Published on 14 April 2008 by Patrick Joseph Kerr
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