Archaeologist, spy, Arabist, linguist, author, poet, photographer, mountaineer and nation builder, Gertrude Bell was born in 1868 into a world of privilege and plenty, but she turned her back on all that for her passion for the Arab peoples, becoming the architect of the independent kingdom of Iraq and seeing its first king Faisal safely onto the throne in 1921. Queen of the Desert is her story, vividly told and impeccably researched, drawing on Gertrude's own writings, both published and unpublished. Previously published as Daughter of the Desert, this is a compelling portrait of a woman who transcended the restrictions of her class and age and in so doing created a remarkable and enduring legacy.

'What a great Oscar-laden biopic this will make ...the combination of epic scenes and personal drama makes Georgina Howell's saga a winner' Daily Express

'Howell sketches in the gradations of colour and emotion that have been lacking in hitherto monochrome accounts of Bell's life ... Exemplary' Sunday Times

'Riveting ... few women have had a life more worth reading about.' Diana Athill, Literary Review

The story of Gertrude Bell; archaeologist, spy, Arabist, linguist, author, poet, photographer, mountaineer and nation builder.

About the Author
Georgina Howell began working in magazine journalism at the age of seventeen. She was Fashion Editor of the Observer, Features Editor of Vogue, Deputy Editor of Tatler and a principal feature writer for the Sunday Times. Georgina Howell died in January 2016.


Book Information
ISBN 9781447286264
Author Georgina Howell
Format Paperback
Page Count 560
Imprint Pan Books
Publisher Pan Macmillan
Weight(grams) 386g
Dimensions(mm) 197mm * 130mm * 36mm