Rebecca Lowe

SHORTLISTED FOR THE EDWARD STANFORD TRAVEL BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD 2023

'A terrifically compelling book, bursting with humour, adventure and insight into the rich landscapes and history of the Middle East.' Sir Ranulph Fiennes

At the height of the Syrian War, as the refugee crisis reached its peak, Rebecca Lowe set off on her bicycle across the Middle East. Driven by a desire to learn more about this troubled region and its relationship with the West, Lowe’s 11,000-kilometre journey took her through Europe to Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Sudan, the Gulf and finally to Iran.

It was an odyssey that captured her heart, but also a deeply challenging cycle across mountains, deserts and repressive police states that nearly defeated her. Plagued by punctures and battling temperatures from -6 to 48˚C, Lowe relied heavily on the kindness of strangers to complete this living portrait of the modern Middle East. This is her evocative, funny and deeply researched account of her travels - and the people, politics and culture she encountered.

'[Lowe] is a perceptive writer who finds new ways to think about the complex peoples, histories and politics of the countries she journeys through.' Observer