Wilfred Thesiger

Wilfred Thesiger, the last of the great gentlemen explorer-adventurers, became a legend in his own lifetime. This authorised biography by a longstanding friend and associate delves into his little-known character and motivations, as well as recounting the details of his extraordinary life. Wilfred Thesiger, the great explorer-adventurer and author of Arabian Sands and The Marsh Arabs, and one work of autobiography The Life of my Choice, became a legend in his own lifetime, but his character and motivations have remained an intriguing enigma. In this authorised biography written with Thesigers support before he died in 2003 and with unique access to the rich Thesiger archive Alexander Maitland investigates this fascinating figures family influences, his wartime experiences, his philosophy as a hunter and conservationist, his writing and photography, his friendships with Arabs and Africans amongst whom he lived, and his now-acknowledged homosexuality.