The Valleys of the Assassins and Other Persian Travels

Alone with her guides–the sullen Haji, jovial Marmud, Keram Khan and his pipe of opium, and the one-eyed Alidad–Freya Stark wandered the remote and secret places of Persia, a western woman in a Eastern land. She was not only an intrepid traveler, but also a most gifted writer. Proof of each claim is that this title has remained in print since it was first published in 1936. “About once in a century the small shores and moist airs of these islands produce a traveler of genius, whose spirit is drawn to deserts and burning suns, and who has the rare gift of being able to interpret the experience. Such a one is Freya Stark.” (Publisher’s Source)