ABOUT THE BOOK
Lorimer: His Gazetteer and Britain’s Pursuit of Knowledge
Lorimer: His Gazetteer and Britain’s Pursuit of Knowledge examines one of the most influential works on the history, geography, and politics of the Persian Gulf. Compiled by John Gordon Lorimer in 1908 and published in 1915, the Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf remained a classified document for decades, shaping British colonial policy and regional strategy well into the mid-20th century.
Alan Dillon’s study explores Lorimer’s life, his motivations, and the political context behind the Gazetteer’s creation. He analyses how this exhaustive work—part historical record, part political tool—helped Britain consolidate its influence over the Gulf and its coastal states.
The book also includes a newly published Gazetteer index, offering fresh insight into its biases, omissions, and long-lasting significance.
Richly researched and highly accessible, Lorimer sheds light on the power of knowledge in imperial governance and reveals the enduring legacy of a document that quietly defined Britain’s role in the Gulf for more than three decades.
OUR NEW TITLES
Sea of Pearls
Before the discovery of oil, the sea was the Gulf’s greatest wealth. Each summer, fleets of wooden dhows sailed out into the turquoise waters, their crews diving deep on a single breath, armed only with a nose clip, a stone weight, and a rope. They returned to the surface clutching oysters, hoping for the prize within pearls so perfect they adorned the crowns of kings and captivated the luxury markets of India and Europe.
Lorimer
In 1908, the British government quietly commissioned a vast and meticulous record of the Arabian Gulf and surrounding regions. Compiled by John Gordon Lorimer, a senior political officer in the Indian Civil Service, The Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf, Oman and Central Arabia became one of the most extraordinary works of intelligence ever produced by a colonial administration.
Julius Euting
In the winter of 1883, German epigraphist Julius Euting and French-Alsatian geographer Charles Huber departed Damascus on a perilous journey into the heart of northern Arabia. Their mission: to uncover ancient inscriptions and reveal the region’s forgotten history.
In Praise of the Artisan
Across the Islamic world, artistry is not only preserved—it continues to evolve. From the rhythmic tapping of stone carvers in Rajasthan to the delicate calligraphy of Istanbul’s masters, from Cairo’s woodworkers to the skilled embroiderers of Makkah, crafts that have shaped homes, mosques, and cities for centuries are still vibrant today.
Bedouin Weaving
In the vast deserts of Arabia, where landscapes appear austere and endless, Bedouin women have for centuries created beauty from the simplest of materials. Using the wool of their camels, sheep, and goats, they wove vibrant textiles—bold geometric designs in deep reds, blacks, and whites—that adorned tents, protected families from the elements, and carried symbolic meaning.
A Journey to Arabia Felix
In the vast deserts of Arabia, where landscapes appear austere and endless, Bedouin women have for centuries created beauty from the simplest of materials. Using the wool of their camels, sheep, and goats, they wove vibrant textiles—bold geometric designs in deep reds, blacks, and whites—that adorned tents, protected families from the elements, and carried symbolic meaning.