Gertrude Bell—a brilliant, brash, and arrogant bluestocking in the Victorian era—set off for Persia. Her courage and daring won the admiration and trust of sheikhs and caliphs all over Arabia and the Middle East. Her determination overpowered her detractors and others who would stand in her way. This biography by Janet Wallach is an adventure to read: The amazing personality of the "Uncrowned Queen of Iraq" comes across loud and clear.