The Life of My Choice

Wilfred Thesiger, I'm ashamed to admit, is a new discovery to me. After reading "Arabian Sands" a few days ago, I felt I had to learn more of his life. "The Life of My Choice" has many parallels to "Seven Pillars of Wisdom" and was so captivating that I had to read it in one sitting. T.E. Lawrence noted that "self-knowledge unfitted me for leadership." Thesiger puts that same sharp sword of introspection to his life. His observations on Lieutenant Colonel Orde Wingate and his thoughts on T.E. Lawrence are among the highlights of this book, as are his thoughts on Islam and Christianity.A son of privilege, son of the Minister of the British Legation in Addis Ababa, the author fell in love with the people of the wilderness, and always found his heroes and soul mates among the harshest tribes in the most forbidding territories. He acknowledges that some of his big game hunting exploits don't go over well 50 years afterwards, but takes care to explain the realities of the situation. He obviously has a strong feeling for the underdog in any fight, not something to be taken for granted in a highly decorated battlefield veteran.Thesiger's detailed account of the League of Nations standing by and watching the Italians brazenly use mustard gas on tens of thousands of Ethiopian soldiers and civilians reminds us of our own cowardice during more recent crimes against humanity.In this age when we are in such great need of heroic figures, I have no knowledge of a single leader of Wilfred Thesiger's caliber alive among us. Then again, Thesiger insisted on not living inside his own society, not seeking to be known by anyone other than himself. No doubt he must serve as the model for more than a few yet to be discovered British and American heroes now posted in remote and dangerous places.Surely one lesson to be taken from Mr. Thesiger's life is that we should live the lives our souls demand of us, consequences be damned. Mr. Thesiger realized as a young man that his path was a lonely one.I highly recommend "Fire and the Sword in the Sudan" by Colonels Rudolph Slatin and F.R. Wingate to any reader of Wilfred Thesiger. Slatin was held prisoner for 12 years in the Sudan during the 1880s and early 1890s.

After reading Arabian Sands and The Marsh Arabs, this is the obvious place to go.Thesiger is (or sadly was) a remarkable individual. And individual he was.His physical toughness and deeply inquiring mind took him beyond what one might call safe or, indeed, sane. Yet he would survive slender odds by his own wits and the help of others to undertake another challenge. It wasn't hubris or being the first that drove him; he was simply deeply inquisitive. And focussed.He was at the same time a sensitive and compassionate man. His own achievements take a back seat. Not a false modesty, mind you; he states what needs to be said and leaves it at that.The best measure of Thesiger is to be found not in his own account of himself, but from the regard in which he was quite evidently held by those around him. I'm not about to list examples - read the books.His books are more than accounts of peripatetic adventures. They ascribe a world view. What is that view? Well, read his books.Oh, and the writing. Read Thesiger at your peril - he casts a long shadow.

This book is a must read for anyone interested in the history of Africa or any just interested in reading stories that seem too amazing to be true. I met Wilfred Thesiger by accident in Kenya in the 1980s before I ever knew about him or his books. He was warm and genuine. Very modest but straight forward. He covers history of Africa like no one else. He explored the last uncharted part of Africa. Many other fascinating stories and they are all real.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, having been to Ethiopia recently it meant I could identify with much of his travels. His family background and schooling formed his character differently from most. His passion to travel in the hot desert countries opened a whole new book to me, I was fascinated to learn about the true Arab culture. His telling of the history of the different areas was so interesting and like him I yearn to go to remote places untouched by materialism. My only complaint would be that I would have loved to see more photos, we are so spoilt with the digital cameras of today.

This is a fascinating book by one of my favourite authors - the eighth in my collection by him. Many people have never heard of him but he led a life of exploration in Asia and Africa.

An amazing life story a totally unique man. One of my treasured books for many years

Great book. Unbelievable amount of history of Ethiopia. Fantastic read.

This is a great read by Thesiger. Much like Arabian Sands, though focusing on Eastern Africa, it reads with the deprecation we've come to expect of the great British explorers. If you like Thesiger, this will not disappoint.

This is Thesiger's best book in my opinion. In addition to his well documented exploits in Arabia, it details his life as a representative of the British government in Sudan and his boyhood in what is now Ethiopia, He gives a graphic account of his experiences with African tribes, big game hunting and camel safaris to remote places as well as his time at private school and university. Although he had a privileged upbringing he never shirks hardship, discomfort and adventure. Widely regarded as the last of the great explorers, Thesiger provides a great read for the armchair explorer and an insight into a life no longer possible in this day and age. Can't wait to read it again!

A wonderful book by an extraordinary man on a fascinating life truthfully told with old world style, values warts and all , with an absolute passion for adventure by living and exploring with indigenous peoples whose lifestyles are sadly fast disappearing with the onrush of the modern world and materialism. A wonderful and insightful book well worth reading. A treasure! There is unlikely to be another life like Thesinger's.

Having seen a film about the Empty Quarter on TV recently, I heard Thesiger names in the programme. I wanted to learn more so bought this book.As it happens, the book doesn't feature the Empty Quarter at all (that's in another book), but his description of travelling in Ethiopia, Darfur etc is riveting and features a world long gone now.A very good read.

One of the best books I have ever read. Period. What a life this man had. Tell your teens and college-age children to get their arses off the XBox and read this, and when they tell you they've nothing to do, tell them to work towards having as full a life as this man.

Makes wonderful reading. Maps have new actuality.