Dust in the Lion’s Paw Autobiography 1939-1946 by Freya Stark

Dust in the Lion’s Paw is the fourth volume of Stark’s autobiography, covering the years 1939-1946. Book is in almost Fine condition, just a small pushing of the bottom of the spine, clean and unmarked internally; the jacket is Very Good Plus, price clipped and with some shallow chipping to the top of the spine. The top  and bottom of the spine is discolored ( see photo) and the pages are unpaginated. Previous owner’s name in ink at front of book.

With a map of the Middle East, titled “Dust in the Lion’s Paw” on p. 6, 8 double-sided plates, and an illustration of a lion (in red) on the title-page. Green cloth with gold lettering on front cover and spine. With dust jacket, designed by Frank Quilter, and protected by a clear plastic jacket. The first edition of Freya Stark’s (1893-1993) fourth and final volume of autobiography, detailing her work, travels and life during the years 1939-1946. During the Second World War she travelled through the Middle East in the service of the British Ministry of Information, spreading propaganda for the Allied cause. According to the short blurb on the inside of the dustjacket, “Freya Stark’s new book is an autobiography with a theme – the art of Persuasion .”. She strictly promoted connections between the Allies and the peoples and governments of the Middle East, expressly speaking out against the Germans and also against Zionism. In Egypt she founded the “Brotherhood of Freedom”, which she used to further her fight for freedom and secular democracy. – Untrimmed. With an ownership inscription on front pastedown in blue ink: “Marjorie Wood. December 1961”. Overall in very good condition. – Blackmer 1470. Howgego IV, S 61. Shapero, The Islamic World (2004), 459 (first ed. misdated “1962”).

Ex Library stamp on the inside of front cover and back cover and there is some heavy foxing that has been taken into account in the pricing of this book.