“When Aunt Mary invited her to join the Lascelleses again, this time in Persia, she was ecstatic. It would be her first encounter with the East.”

Biographies aren't my thing *shrugs* but I'm so glad I took a chance on this one!

Never heard of Gertrude Bell? Don't worry, neither had I, until I saw the movie trailer. After reading this book, it's a real shame we don't know more about this gal but I'm hoping the film will bring much needed attention to who she is and the impact she made on the 20th Century.

I've seen Lawrence of Arabia a number of times and I don't recall her ever being mentioned in the film. *gasp* I will have to re-watch it just to be 100% certain. You could say that Gertrude Bell was completely overshadowed by T.E. Lawrence or quite possibly forgotten because she's a woman.

Since I had zero expectations, this book gives details about all the different stages of her life and I thought it would be more about what she did in the Middle East, specifically with Iraq. I'm not sure that I needed to know all the details of her life but I was completely captivated with everything she did upon arriving to the Middle East. Quite honestly, it's fascinating. She's fascinating.

While she lived a life of privilege and could do so many of the things that her status afforded her, she was way ahead of her time on so many different levels. She did things that women simply did not even think of doing back then. Not only was she incredibly smart but she was also an amazing diplomat and was King Faisal's confidante. I can't help but wonder if the borders she helped create (and she didn't do it alone) and how the government of Iraq should be operated, if that contributed to all the unrest happening in present-day Iraq.

Regardless, she's still amazing.

If I could only go back in time to meet her and maybe have some tea...