Libyan Sands: Travel in a Dead World

How often do you pick up a graduate text book to find the author gushing in open admiration of a 20th century explorer? Soldier? Engineer? I know, not often. Me too. But Bagnold deserves all this admiration. He wrote the book on sand transport after exploring the Egyptian desert. A classic "where no man has gone before" situation. I too fell in love with explorer and this work after being introduced to him in a planetary science graduate text book. Bagnold's writing is superb and he keeps you enthralled throughout the book. An underrated and captivating man. He spans post WWI, through WWII, to become the world's expert in desert processes, and lives to see his name assigned to Martian features before his death in 1990. Remarkable life, remarkable book.

This is one of the most enthralling books on desert life i have ever read. OK its 1930 and deserts of Libya were a big blank space on the map. Yet Bagnold got out there in a Model T Ford no less and not only discovered new scenery, oasis, and prominent land marks he effectively mapped the unknown. What was also interesting was how time in that empty space changed him and his understanding of its locals. This knowledge not only got him promoted in the army and made to head his own group but also later assisted the allies defeat the invading germans and italians. My father was in the 8th Army....and the Long Range Desert Group set up by Bagnold later became part of their arsenal and changed the outcome of the second world war. This is as real as it gets. Written in a neat neutral style where Bagnold simply tells it as it was. I have read many books on the desert and those that cross it but this beat them all for reality.

Excellent

This is a fantastic book, full of interest and adventure. It is amazing what those guys achieved. When Bagnold wanted to continue his exploration of the Libyan desert after being posted to the North West Frontier, and found there was no suitable public transport, he casually decided to drive from what is now Pakistan to Egypt. When their cars broke down in the desert they would think nothing of changing a crankshaft or differential out among the sand dunes. It is written in a wonderful easy style, modest and unassuming, yet entertaining and amusing. How the world has changed. If Bagnold wanted assistance he would simply call on the local District Commissioner and all would be arranged. A great read, highly recommended.

I enjoyed this. The narrative is mainly pacy and the struggle of man & primitive machine against the desert is inspiring. Also interesting to see how the area has so sadly changed from these more innocent times