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Book of the Week

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Serialised book readings, featuring works from various genres

Serialised book readings, featuring works of non-fiction, biography, autobiography, travel, diaries, essays, humour and history

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Book of the Week: Georgina Howell - Queen of the Desert

Sylvestra Le Touzel

Deborah Findlay

Georgina Howell

Jill Waters

Book of the Week: Georgina Howell - Queen of the Desert: Episode 5

Factual: Life Stories

Queen of the Desert

Episode 5

Georgina Howell - Queen of the Desert

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, Georgina Howell - Queen of the Desert, Episode 5

Gertrude Bell's energies turn to the establishment of a museum in Baghdad.

Gertrude's energies turn to the establishment of a museum in Baghdad. Read by Sylvestra le Touzel and Deborah Findlay.

The story of Gertrude Bell and her crucial role in the foundation of the state of Iraq.

With the new King, Faisal, safely installed, Gertrude's energies turned to the establishment of a museum in Baghdad to house the extraordinary collection of artefacts that chronicled Iraq's ancient history.

First published in 2006, Queen of the Desert by Georgina Howell has been reissued - partly to coincide with the Werner Herzog film of the same title, but also to provide the long view on the troubled history of a remarkable country.

Using letters written by Gertrude Bell throughout the period, the book tells the story of an extraordinarily talented and determined woman who has often been overshadowed by her more famous friend, T.E. Lawrence.

Read by Sylvestra le Touzel and Deborah Findlay (the letters)

Abridged and produced by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4.

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

The story of Gertrude Bell and her crucial role in the foundation of the state of Iraq

By Georgina Howell. The story of Gertrude Bell and her crucial role in the foundation of the state of Iraq

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