Accompanying her brother, a major in the British Army, on diplomatic missions, Ella C. Sykes became one of the first Western women to travel through Persia. This exciting memoir recounts her extraordinary journey: from her lavish accommodations in London, to the streets of Tehran, and eventually to the deserts of India. With her keen insights into the women she encounters, and a love for the natural beauty she finds herself immersed in, Sykes’ unique expedition is eloquently written and full of surprises.
In the wonderful purity of atmosphere, the author rode on horseback or mule-litter over the bad roads, rich in loose stones and mud, to the Persian capital and thence to her destination. Despite the dirt and decay, the glamour of the East made everything delightful to this traveler, who had youth, health, and spirit on her side, and, we may add, a facile pen and a crisp and sparkling style.
—The Critic