R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed on 4/24/2022 + 1438 more book reviews

Losing her entire family in the flu epidemic of 1918-19, Agnes Shanklin, inherits money from her family that enables her to travel to Egypt and the Holy Land. Freed from the influence of her domineering mother, she can do as she wishes and decides to take the trip of her dreams that immerses her in what occurs in the area during the Cairo Peace Convention following WWI.

Originally drawn to the area because her beloved sister did missionary work in the Middle East and taught Lawrence as a youngster, she finds her life changing. She meets Winston Churchill, T.E. Lawrence, and Lady Gertrude Bell while they redraw the Middle East. Traveling alone except for her dachshund, Rosie, this forty-year-old school teacher from Cleveland, Ohio, shares her plain spoken opinions with these pivotal individuals.

This is a quite interesting look at a rarely examined historic period, the individuals involved in the decisions following the war and how it all affects the people not only of the Middle East but Americans as represented by the indomitable Agnes. What happened during this period shaped the Middle East of today. It's fascinating to observe how decisions of the past can affect the future.

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