The Heart of Arabia: A Record of Travel and Exploration

Abstract

IN October 1917, Mr. Philby found himself the sole representative of Britain in the heart of Arabia on a mission which was organised, with the encouragement afforded by the initial success of the movement against the Turks on the Hejaz, to carry messages of goodwill to the ruling chief of Wahabiland. The co-operation of the latter was to be invited in giving effect to the Euphrates blockade against the Turks, and ultimately to launch a campaign against that very able ally of Turkey, Ibn Rashid of Hail. At the back of it there was no doubt some Utopian ideal of a united Arabia. The ruling chief of Wahabiland (which may be said to include all Najd, or Central Arabia, together with the coast province of Al Hasa bordering the Persian Gulf) was Imam Ibn Sa'ud of Riadh, and it was to Riadh that Mr. Philby's mission was directed, via Hofhuf, the capital of Al Hasa, from a port on the Persian Gulf coast opposite Bahrein. The Heart of Arabia: A Record of Travel and Exploration. By H. St. J. B. Philby. In 2 vols. Vol. 1. Pp. xxiii + 386. Vol. 2. Pp. vii + 354. (London: Constable and Co., Ltd., 1922.) 63s.