Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton: The Secret Agent Who Made the Pilgrimage to Mecca, Discovered the Kama Sutra, and Brought the Arabian Nights to the West [Paperback]

Edward Rice (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1991

Describes the life of Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton, who explored India, the Near East, and Africa, went to Mecca, discovered the Kama Sutra, and introduced the Arabian Nights to the West. Reprint.

Product Details

• Paperback: 688 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins; 1st edition (April 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060973943
• ISBN-13: 978-0060973940
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.3 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #330,069 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE definitive biography of this great man., February 15, 2001

By 

Barry J McKnight - See all my reviews

This review is from: Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton: The Secret Agent Who Made the Pilgrimage to Mecca, Discovered the Kama Sutra, and Brought the Arabian Nights to the West (Paperback)

This was by far the best biography of the illustrious Richard Burton I have read. The level of scholarship displayed by the author is impressive and does justice to a man whose gifts made him one of the most impressive characters from history. I highly recommend this book as well as those written by Burton himself.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books I have ever read!, October 13, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton: The Secret Agent Who Made the Pilgrimage to Mecca, Discovered the Kama Sutra, and Brought the Arabian Nights to the West (Paperback)

It is one of the most comprehensive biographies I have ever read. The book literally changed my life. The adventures and the knowledge that Richard Burton undertook and learned can fill 100 lifetimes. I have worked (albeit unsuccessfully) to approach the intensity of this man's life. It is so rewarding to read about a man who was the scholar and the adventurer and who leaves the reader with a sense of awe that one man can accomplish as much as he did. The book is great not only because it tells of Burton, but because in the process of learning about him, you vicariously learn about unknown cultures and esoteric knowledge that would take volumes to fill. It takes you on a journey to another world.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Real Eat Pray Love!, March 9, 2008

By 

SW FL Reader (SW FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton: The Secret Agent Who Made the Pilgrimage to Mecca, Discovered the Kama Sutra, and Brought the Arabian Nights to the West (Paperback)

You want to talk about traveling, eating, praying and loving.....the bio of Sir Richard Francis Burton is the real deal on Eat Pray Love. This Englishman who lived during 1821-1890 traveled throughout India, made the pilgrimage to Mecca,(incognito) explored parts of Africa in search of the Nile's source, lived as consul in Damascus, Brazil and Italy. Having to learn many different languages and dialects (29), study several religions, cultures, eat the food, wear the clothes, screw the women, he became one of "them" (depending on which country he was in as a spy) else he'd be killed.

Facing death by starvation, thirst, exhaustion, countless diseases, temporary blindness, attacks from native barbarians during his treks across lands, where in some cases no white man had ever been, he kept careful notes of all he witnessed to be published upon his return. As if that weren't enough, he went on to translate the Kama Sutra and Arabian Nights, before this amazing man died of the ripe old age of 69.