Journeys in Persia and Kurdistan : including a summer in the Upper Karun region and a visit to the Nestorian rayahs Isabella Bishop (nee Bird) published her Journeys in Persia and Kurdistan in 1891, compiled from a series of letters home. Recommended an open-air life from an early age as a cure for physical and nervous difficulties, Bird toured the United States and Canada, New Zealand, Australia and the Far East. After her marriage, and the death of her husband in 1886, she did missionary work in India and then, in 1890, travelled to little-known parts of Turkey, Persia and Kurdistan in the company of Major Herbert Sawyer of the Indian Army. This came to be the hardest journey of her experience, with extremes of temperature and harsh living conditions for the sixty-year-old, although she was able to provide medical care for the local people. Volume 1 introduces the region, its people, and their customs and includes many evocative anecdotes. It also contains a glossary and maps."

Isabella Lucy Bird, married name Bishop FRGS, was a nineteenth-century English explorer, writer, photographer and naturalist. With Fanny Jane Butler she founded the John Bishop Memorial hospital in Srinagar.

"Journeys in Persia and Kurdistan (Volume 1)" is part of Isabella Lucy Bird's travel writings, chronicling her expeditions through Persia (modern-day Iran) and Kurdistan in the latter half of the 19th century. Published in 1891, this volume recounts her immersive experiences, encounters, and observations during her extensive travels through these regions. Isabella Lucy Bird, known for her adventurous spirit and keen observations, provides vivid descriptions of the landscapes, cultures, and societies she encountered. Her narrative style offers readers an intimate and detailed portrayal of the people, customs, daily life, and geographical features of Persia and Kurdistan during that era. Throughout the book, Bird delves into the challenges and triumphs of her journeys, often navigating rugged terrains and interacting with diverse communities. Her account not only serves as a travelogue but also offers historical and cultural insights into the regions she visited. She portrays the beauty of the landscapes, the complexities of local traditions, and the resilience of the people she encountered. Bird's writing style, blending adventure, cultural exploration, and personal anecdotes, continues to captivate readers interested in travel literature, Middle Eastern culture, history, and the experiences of a Victorian-era female explorer in remote and less-explored regions.

Journeys in Persia and Kurdistan, Volume 1 (of 2) By Isabella L. Bird