It’s kind of amazing how Frank Gardener learnt Arabic when no-one in the UK bothered much, became a high powered investment banker and then made the transition to journalism. Then he is nearly killed by AlQueda while filming in Saudi. And comes back from this as a paraplegic and resumes his journalist career. There is so much great about this book. His understanding of the different cultures within theM Middle East; his lack of bitterness about his attack, his account of bring an international journalist ( must admit I skipped the banking bit but I am sure that was great too.). But what impressed me the most was his blow-by-blow story of coming to terms with his disability having been able-bodied. ( )

An amazing and passionate book about arab culture and Frank Gardners love for travel, despite Franks horrific experience at the hands of an unrepresentative group of attackers this book will make you want to visit the middle east.

"At the end of the meal the sheikh had called out to Mark to ask him if he was full or would like anything else. Summoning his meagre reserves of arabic, Mark had tried to ask for coffee, but had confused the arabic word for cofee, qahwa, with qahba, meaning prostitute. When he asked in all innocence for a qahba the table apparently collapsed with laughter, but the sheik had replied with a straight face. 'Of course, Mark ... but would you like black or white?' " ( )