11 OCTOBER 1930, Page 31

When Doughty's Arabia Deserta was published, it found few purchasers

and involved the Cambridge University Press in a heavy loss. In view of these well-remembered facts it is most gratifying to know that Doughty's successor, Mr. Eldon Rutter, has had better luck with his memorable Holy Cities of Arabia. After only two years this wonderful book has had to be reprinted in a cheaper one-volume edition (Putnam, 15s.) and should find many new readers. Mr. Rutter, in constant peril of his life, not merely visited Mecca and Medina, but lived in those astonishing places for months on end. To lovers of adventure and to students of Islam alike his book may be warmly commended.

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