Reviews

"The volume ... is much more than a reprint of the original work, for it includes, under the title 'From Mayfair to Mecca: the Life of Lady Evelyn Cobbold', a most interesting, readable and meticulously annotated introduction (80 pages). ... Pilgrimage to Mecca is a vivid, fresh and charming account in diary form of the author's experiences during her few weeks in the Hejaz." -- Asian Affairs Asian Affairs "This reprint is presented in two parts. The first contains ... an extensive biographical introduction by William Facey and Miranda Taylor. ... We then enter the main autobiographical section. ... This is an appealing book. Its broad framework is the journal of a sophisticated lady, who is drawn to the Muslim faith, and the subsequent physical and emotional journey of the hajj which she performed at the age of 65 in 1933. ... For those interested in history, travel, biography and religion, this is an illuminating book." -- The Edinburgh Review 125 The Edinburgh Review 125 "One of the most fascinating of women travellers of the early 20th century. ... This new edition of Pilgrimage to Mecca, with its lengthy biographical introduction and copious footnotes, will become required reading for anyone interested in the history of women travellers, early 20th-century travel in the Middle East, or simply Islamic affairs." -- Geographical Magazine Geographical Magazine "More than a reprint of the original edition of Pilgrimage to Mecca, (John Murray 1934), this publication is a well-considered and sophisticated repackaging of both author and text. ... The detail of her story ... will fascinate readers today ... [and] this is where Facey and Taylor excel." -- ASTENE Bulletin ASTENE Bulletin "This is an unusual and revealing book [recommended] for the positive insight that it gives into the beliefs and culture of Islamic society and ... for the chance to learn about a remarkable Scottish woman traveller and the different worlds she inhabited." -- The Scots Magazine The Scots Magazine "London-based Arabian Publishing has rescued [Pilgrimage to Mecca] from relative obscurity through publication of a handsome new edition, which includes a lively and illuminating 80-page introduction, 'From Mayfair to Makkah', by William Facey and Miranda Taylor." -- Saudi Gazette Saudi Gazette "In the current atmosphere, when there is much debate and controversy regarding what it means to be a Muslim, Pilgrimage to Mecca offers a timely opening for new reflection. In delineating Lady Evelyn Cobbold's inimitable and quintessentially English pursuit of Islam, it challenges us to investigate alternatives to the hegemonizing Islamic perspectives and practices." -- Bulletin of the Society for Arabian Studies Bulletin of the Society for Arabian Studies "A well-produced, well-documented, and fascinating book. ... [It] is much more than just a travel narrative, for the publishers have furnished the reader with an 80-page biography of Lady Evelyn Cobbold which is perhaps even more enjoyable and valuable than her account of the Hajj. ... A deeply moving account of a lady who was fundamentally changed by the Hajj." -- Muslim World Book Review Muslim World Book Review