Passionate Nomad: The Life of Freya Stark

by Jane Fletcher Geniesse

Freya Stark—traveler, explorer, Arabist, and woman of letters—began the extraordinary adventures that would glamorize her—and would catapult her into public life for the next sixty years—in 1927. And with the publication of The Valley of the Assassins in 1934, her legend was launched.

Leaving behind a miserable family life, Freya set out, at the age of thirty-four, to explore remote and dangerous regions of the Middle East. She was captured in 1927 by the French military police after penetrating their cordon around the rebellious Druze. She explored the mountainous territory of the mysterious Assassins of Persia, became the first woman to explore Luristan in western Iran, and followed ancient frankincense routes to locate a lost city. Admired by British officialdom, her knowledge of Middle Eastern languages and culture aided the military and diplomatic corps, for whom she conceived an effective propaganda network during WWII.

But Stark's indomitable spirit was forged by contradictions, her high-profile wanderings often masking deep insecurities. A child of privilege, she grew up in near poverty; she longed for love, but consistently focused on the wrong men. This is a brilliant and balanced biography—filled with sheikhs, diplomats, nomad warriors and chieftains, generals, would-be lovers, and luminaries. Author Jane Geniesse digs beneath the mythology to uncover a complex, quixotic, and controversial woman.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Travel, History, Middle East, Adventure, Womens

410 pages, Paperback

First published September 28, 1999

Reviews

[Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a lover of biographies, I became interested in this book after reading a positive review from Modern Library. What could be more interesting than to read about a woman ahead of her time, fearless, captivating, smart and daring? Dame Freya Stark was all of these things, as well as a little "difficult".

Drowning in the despair of a dead-end future and smarting after a broken engagement, Freya decides to embark on a journey to the Middle East and from that moment establishes the course of an adventurous and remarkable life. Having studied Arabic and arming herself with as much knowledge as possible about the people she is going to visit, Freya sets out to explore the mysteries of an often misunderstood people. Often with little else than a donkey and one guide, Freya would visit the remotest, most dangerous places of countries like Yemen and Iraq in search of lost civilizations and ancient ruins. Braving illnesses and occassional mishaps, her attempts prove fruitful as she is able to test the accuracy of British maps; and in proving herself a talented writer of her experiences, she is honored by the Royal Geographic Society. In time her successes win her the respect of both East and West and she becomes a hailed celebrity in her native Great Britain.

Leading a colorful life while making and breaking friendships, Freya is eventually given work with the British Foreign Service during World War II and manages to establish a successful pro-British propoganda organization in the Middle East. Having proven herself an invaluable asset to her country, Ms. Stark is eventually bestowed damehood by Queen Elizabeth II.

Author Jane Fletcher Geniesse writes an honest account of this great traveler, neither glorifying or demonizing her. We are allowed to see Dame Freya as she truly is: a remarkable woman with all the quirks that make her human. Reading this book was an absolute pleasure and how wonderful to learn about such a courageous woman who did whatever the hell she pleased! To borrow from reviewer Jim Lehrer, "Passionate Nomad is a work of nonfiction that reads and sings with the drama and life of a fine novel".

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fascinating biography of Freya Stark, who traveled throughout Arabia and Persia between the two world wars. Her personal life was a mess, but she was an intrepid traveler, who demonstrated a strong respect for the Arab way of life. She learned several languages as an adult, used classical texts (e.g. Herodotus) as travel manuals, and discovered several valuable archeological sites. She published eleven books on Arabia, several others on Turkey, and her personal letters filled eight volumes when they were published! The author's style is concise and engaging. She really brings a startling personality back to life.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freya Stark lived a truly remarkable life. Born in Paris to an English father and an Italian mother of Polish/German descent, she was raised in Italy, chafing under the impositions of her vain, rather selfish mother who had left her husband to his bourgeois English life. Freya was largely self-taught, learning Arabic and Persian for fun, always fascinated by the Orient. She served as a VAD in Italy during WW1, and soon after set out on her independent travels in the Middle East.

And what travels! She would travel on foot, by donkey or camel into some of the most inaccessible regions of the Middle East, places that scarcely saw Westerners, let alone single Western women. She would infiltrate mosques and harems, climb mountains, uncover ruined cities, live amongst the simple people of the deserts, sleeping under the stars or in Bedouin tents. She wrote numerous travel books, becoming one of the foremost experts on Islamic history and peoples. During WW2 she worked for the British Ministry of Information in Egypt and Iraq as a propaganda expert, lending her knowledge of the region to support the British war effort.

This biography is no hagiography, exposing Freya warts and all - her bravery, independence, sense of adventure and fun is all laid out alongside her tendency to imperiousness, her habit of using people who could be helpful to her, her neediness and desperate longing to be loved. She comes across as a fascinating person, a woman who never let convention stand in the way of what she wanted, a true traveller keenly interested in everyone she came across, but somehow a woman who, whilst comfortable in any kind of surrounding, was never truly comfortable in herself.

[Ann]

This is a biography of one of the Twentieth Century's most inveterate female travelers and experts on the Middle East.

Freya Stark was a mesmerising personality, and Geniesse's comprehensive biography captures that quality.

It was interesting to note that while Stark had the perspicacity to see some of the problems created by British colonialism, she, herself, was ardent British loyalist with a sometimes imperialistic attitude. She also seemed completely obtuse when it came to her private, romantic life.

I was completely drawn in by the subject, in large part due to how well it was handled by the author.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating woman about whom I had absolutely no prior knowledge. Freya Stark was a traveler and writer basically, but she was also an explorer and map-maker and diplomat and possibly a spy. Her expertise was the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Iraq, Persia, and so on. She started traveling at the age of 22 and didn't quit until she was in her 90s. Her personal life was a mess though, in spite of her charm and intelligence which worked so well elsewhere. She was spoiled, selfish, ambitious, jealous, flirtatious and very, very proud. The book itself is a bit dry and I wish there had been more about the actual explorations - but I suppose I should read Stark's work to learn the details of that. The quotes in the book are teasers. I think I'd like to start with "The Valley of the Assassins."

[Eve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating woman, somewhat weird treatment by the biographer who swings between adulation and a somewhat superior attitude of patronization. I was never quite sure how much I could rely on the objectivity of her interpretations. Worth the read though for anyone into stories of people pushing the bounds on exploration.

[Asmita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very through and well-written account of Freya Stark’s life. I find myself floored by the way she refashioned herself from her difficult circumstances. This was lengthy but enjoyable. My only hesitation is the way the biographer seemed to treat Freya at points, referencing her insecurities and issues so often at points it felt like it was personal. Felt rather bizarre but perhaps she was trying to balance out the legend of Freya Stark?

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a pleasure to read this eloquently written and well-researched biography. For the most part, Geniesse does a nice balance between acknowledging Stark's flaws and praising her achievements. There was a bit much on Stark's looks, which was a little surprising for a biography mostly in tune with feminist concerns. I was especially impressed to learn how hard Stark had to work at getting her opportunities to learn and travel.

[Margaret Carmel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Freya Stark is GOALS.

As a journalist with a big interest in the Middle East, Passionate Nomad was a great window into the life of a trailblazing woman who was able to explore the region in a completely different way than is possible today. Stark was able to travel under the protection of the British Empire and see almost every corner of the area, all while avoiding true danger and violence in a way that I cannot fathom experiencing in my lifetime.

Biography is not my favorite genre, so sometimes this book got a little dry for me to read but Genisse did a wonderful job capturing Stark's personality, her history, her triumphs and her complexities. This book makes her come across in a flattering way, but there was definitely some nuance to how she was depicted that I appreciated.

I did really relate to her struggles with dating and men in a way that was unexpected. I am similar in the fact that I would rather travel and have an exciting career than get married, but the idea of falling in love is definitely something that I also want in the back of my mind. I like how the author captured this conflict in Stark, as well as her complex relationship with feminism.

This was an interesting read that made me want to get on a plane and travel!

[Kate Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an amazing life! Freya Stark was an explorer of the Middle East in the 1920s and 30s when it was a risky undertaking, something women and most men wouldn't think of doing. She ultimately became so knowledgeable about the region, and fluent in local languages, that her advice was sought by government policy-making officials, especially during WWII, and she found herself invited to hobnob with the rich and famous. She overcame a very difficult childhood and many "close calls"--both in traveling a largely unexplored desert region, and due to accident and disease--yet was successful beyond her wildest dreams, wrote over 20 books about her adventures, and lived to be 100! (1893-1993).
The book is fairly detailed but smoothly written, communicating effectively how much can be accomplished, despite gender discrimination and perceived social limits, by someone who combines passion with natural talent and is absolutely unwilling to give up.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another one of those interesting Victorian woman explorers. Freya Stark seemed to live in the shadow of Gertrude Bell - which she railed against all her life. Freya explored, wrote, and had a more cultural anthropological interest in her travels than Gertrude Bell (whose interest led her more towards politics, diplomacy, and policy - especially around what is today Jordan and Iraq). Freya's area seemed to be especially southern Arabia and Yemen.

The book is good. Again I found that the focus the biographer took did a disservice to Freya Stark by emphasizing her fragility and eccentricity. Though this is my first introduction to Freya, I find it very hard to believe that she was just some romantically frustrated, spinster (and huge narcissist) who wanted attention and found it easiest to get by going to the Middle East. Where is the strong, independent character I expected in the beginning of the book? The biographer missed the mark in my opinion. Still an interesting read, just skim the MANY references to damaged childhood, thwarted love, fragility, etc. no one who took on the adventures Freya Stark undertook should be going down in history that way. (T.E. Lawrence is a celebrated figure and most famous even though he had all the same personal challenges and character flaws of Gertrude Bell and Freya Stark. Just saying...)

[Karen Floyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this is an amazing woman! Her endurance, tenacity and courage are an inspiration to all women. And men, too. She was an explorer and traveler in the best sense of these words, speaking the languages of the people she visited and getting to know them as human beings. She talked to everyone. Most of her journeys were undertaken with only a native guide and she traveled light, usually sleeping on the ground. The author presents Freya sympathetically, warts and all. I would like to have had more about her travels, but those are really best told by Freya herself. She was a splendid writer. Must reads are "The Valleys of the Assassins" and "Baghdad Sketches." Though she was symapthetic to the desire of Jews to have their own country, she accurately predicted the results of the partition of Palestine.

[Anastasia Hobbet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in concert with her lyrical account of a journey with two other women with whom she didn't get along, A Winter in Arabia. She was so smoothly politic in the memoir itself--to avoid hurting their feelings--that I wanted to know the backstory. The biography gave me all that, au jus, but it also allowed me to truly understand this charismatic and brilliantly restless, self-promoting woman.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this fascinating biography, it's hard to believe that so few of us have ever heard of Freya Stark. I read it while traveling in Israel and it was so easy to imagine this tiny, confident woman bravely setting out to explore the Middle East, nearly 100 years ago! If you have a sense of wanderlust and independence that needs a bit of a boost, and you like biographies, it's well worth a read.

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect follow-up to Desert Queen. A very well done biography, even though at times I got the strange sense that the author didn't like her subject very much. Huh.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a slog to get through. Honestly, the biography was a bit all over the place in terms of the authors feelings about Freya. She admitted that she was a difficult person but then the next sentence would praise her. Freya Stark’s life is super interesting but I feel like this book could have been way shorter.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book with an interesting subject, though I found the writing a little flat. Freya Stark comes across as the kind of person I would admire at a distance and detest as a friend as she was very prone to using people. I'm glad to have learned about this adventurous woman.

[Suzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The worst part about this book is the title. Everyone thought I was reading a Harlequin romance. Freya Stark is an interesting person. She traveled alone around the Middle East and was fairly influential during WWII. I enjoyed learning about her.

[Writer's Relief · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Freya Stark is a difficult one to tell. This is not due to missing records or mysterious events—it’s because her life story is so extraordinary, it’s hard to make it seem real! In PASSIONATE NOMAD, Jane Fletcher Geniesse uses personal letters and other archival materials to explore Freya’s unconventional background growing up in Italy as the child of British expats, along with her evolution into one of the era’s foremost experts on the Arab world. Freya Stark was fluent in at least seven languages and was applauded by the Royal Geographic Society and notable public figures such as T.E. Lawrence. The published accounts of her travels quickly became the most popular reads of the day, not only for the thrilling adventures she undertook but also for her incredible writing. Freya kept meticulous notes about her travels and the lands she explored, and these were instrumental in updating the maps used by the Royal Geographic Society and the British Government. Freya was also plagued by the same concerns as her contemporary, Gertrude Bell, and wrestled with contradictory feelings as a proud British citizen regarding the government’s policies toward a region she admired and loved. Geniesse does a wonderful job of sharing Freya’s story from her point of view without providing a biased image of the occasionally flawed person that was Miss Stark.

PASSIONATE NOMAD is the perfect read for anyone who wants to explore the world and experience adventure without leaving home. And readers will be inspired to pursue their own adventurous goals, whatever they may be!

[Gypsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freya Stark (31 January 1893 – 9 May 1993) was a self-taught explorer and adventurer, who became a respected Arabist and a renowned author and letter writer. Geniesse tells Freya's story in entertaining, interesting, and accessible prose, showing the many facets of her life, including her formative years, her motives, and her dreams. Freya Stark was a fascinating, if flawed, woman, and I learned a good deal both about her, and about the world around her during her long life.

[Maeve de Bordons Alvarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freya Stark, what a life of adventure! My mother lent me this book and it’s not something I would’ve probably would’ve never picked it up if not. Gracias mamá!!!!

[Geraldine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really pleasant surprise of a book that sort-of accidentally appeared on my TBR - after I had read a biography of Gertrude Bell.

Quite long, and I took longer than maybe I should to read it because I was distracted by unconnected matters.

Generally well-written, which left me with a decent sense of who Freya Stark was, and an even better sense of the areas she explored, in particular Syria, Iraq, Yemen. And a fairly good insight into wider aspects of her times, especially mid-Twenties to mid-Fifties.

A very remarkable woman, who, despite very little education was well honoured by organisations such as the Royal Geographical Society.

I haven't read any books by Freya Stark, although I will remedy that in due course, as a result of reading this.

A couple of peripheral observations. The writer of this is American and writes in America English, which, on the whole isn't really a problem. But there are a few examples where she reveals less
than meticulous fact-checking. Eg she twice states that Freya was knighted. Hmm.

No reflection on the author, but there are rather too many errors in transcribing. I have come to expect this in all books that have been re-typed for ebook format, but this had more than average number of typos. I can get over the actual typos but it does make me wonder whether there are other, more substantive errors.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have asked so many women if they've heard of Freya Stark, and not a one of us had! Yet this tiny British woman (raised in Italy) wrote many popular travel books from her amazingly adventurous travels (usually alone) through the Middle East in the 20s through the 40s. She spoke many Arabic dialects, created maps of uncharted lands, was recognized by intellectuals for her expertise and wit. AND, she lived to be 100, and was knighted by the Queen! Freya was the center of attention from the Royal Societies who recognized her knowledge to the flamboyant partyers of British Cairo in WWII.

I'm intrigued by this biography, but now eager to read some of her own works. In particular, you'll see a couple of her titles on my READING LIST here. This book is incredible researched and detailed, yet somehow distant from Freya herself. I long to hear her speak.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has lingered in my pile of books for possibly years, and it took my car dying and a sudden free four hours a day of train travel to launch into it. A fascinating and odd woman, I'm quite glad I never met, but am very interested to learn about. I enjoyed learning more about the Arabian peninsula between the wars, which set up a chain of events we're still seeing the impact of today.
Possibly I would have done better reading Freya Stark's travelogues, but now I've read this I'm glad I hadn't read her autobiography.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This very comprehensive biography of Freya Stark reads better than fiction. It is well annotated but the notes don't detract from the flow of the reading. Excerpts from letters augment the text and add a sense of Freya's thinking of the time. Freya Stark asked her mother to keep her letters so that they could be used instead of a diary - she was definitely thinking ahead for what she would need when she wrote her autobiography!
Freya's goal to offer enlightenment has been achieved by the biographer of this very well-written book.
The Prologue by the author is a great finish!

[Nicole Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Five stars for the subject matter, but ultimately three stars for the attitude of the biographer for her subject.

I found myself at times feeling like I was slogging through an account of a petulant child and her antics, as opposed to a woman who defied all conventions and went bravely into scenarios that weren't at the time considered "appropriate" for a woman in her era.

Once I recognized that, I warmed up to the book quite a bit, and am now interested in reading some of Freya Stark's writings throughout her life.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good bio of a very fascinating woman. I just read a book that referenced Freya Stark's route through Iran in her book Valleys of the Assassins, so I remembered that I'd always wanted to read this, and I'm glad I did. They just don't make'em like Freya Stark anymore. I enjoyed reading about even her foibles. This book is great for anyone who loves travel reading, unconventional women, or outrageous adventures.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

If someone made up Freya Stark you wouldn't believe her. This is biographical writing at its best. Freya comes to life, the time she lived in is vividly illuminated and since so much of it formulated the Middle East we are dealing with today it is absorbing. Well-written, well-researched and a good read.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

A biography of someone I'd never heard of before and now wonder why not. This is the story of a very intelligent, curious woman who traveled extensively, especially in the Middle East. She had such a full life, it makes for interesting reading if not dramatic and thrilling. The book is written very well; the flow is flawless and it was a pleasure to read.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I skimmed the last half of the book. The story was interesting, just long and detailed to the point of being repetitive. Freya Stark was a fascinating woman who traveled in the middle east during the 1920s-1950s. Had the book not been due back to the library, I would have read the last half with more attention, but I got the gist...