War, Peace, and Travel Writing: European Exploration in Egypt and the Sudan (1798 – 1898) with Eamonn Gearon

If the century from 1798 to 1898 tells us anything about European involvement up and down the Sahara’s eastern fringes, it’s that war is the midwife of travel, and travel writing is sure to follow.

From Napoleon’s invasion of Egypt to Winston Churchill and the Battle of Omdurman, via Amelia Edwards’s fabulous journey, A Thousand Miles Up the Nile, the experience of the French and British, and the locals they met up and down the Nile was one of blood spilled, and ink poured. War; travel; writing; and acquisition, this seminar looks at these four strands of history, as seen through a century of material destruction and artistic Creation.

Led by an expert on the history of the middle east, Eamonn Gearon, this interactive seminar will explore the connections between travel writing and history. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased understanding of how Western exploration and war in the middle east inspired great writing.

This conversation is part of a three-part series with Eamonn Gearon. Each session is designed as a stand-alone seminar as well as part of the series.

• War, Peace, and Travel Writing: European Exploration in Egypt and the Sudan (1798 – 1898) with Eamonn Gearon
• Sun, Sand, and Spies: Military Intelligence in the Middle East and North Africa (1914 – 1945) with Eamonn Gearon
• Desert of Dunes, Dreamers, and Dramas: The Sahara as Artistic Muse with Eamonn Gearon   

Eamonn Gearon is an author, public speaker, and professor of history who lived and worked across the greater Middle East – from Kabul to Casablanca – for more than 20 years. As well as living in the Sahara with the Bedu, Eamonn did a number of solo, camel-powered expeditions … and never lost money when re-selling a camel! The author of three lecture series on Middle Eastern history and culture for The Great Courses, Eamonn also designed and is responsible for delivering Middle East and North Africa (MENA) area studies training for both the British and American governments: the FCDO & US Department of State.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.