Gertrude Bell (1 Viewer)

[ROAN]

So sad she had to take her own life to avoid the horrors of cancer,she really should be more widely celebrated.

Rob

The impression I got, at least from the book I read(Desert Queen)was is that she was horribly depressed which led her to commit suicide. Perhaps it was the cancer that was behind her depression but am sure much of it was also due to the kind of life she knew she had to face on her return to Old Blighty: a spinster, unlucky in love, dwindling finances, with a life behind her that would make her existence in England seem so hum-drum, prosaic.

So she might have taken her life rather than reconcile to a horrible boredom. That’s what those who’ve had adventurous, exciting lives often have to grapple with. As I mentioned in a post on this forum back in April(when I placed a link to a web site dedicated to Bell)her ex-friend, St. John Philby, who led an equally adventurous life, last words were: “God I’m bored”. But thankfully, most find ways to cope-sometimes by getting into weird things like collecting toy soldiers.

 

[Harrytheheid]

The impression I got, at least from the book I read(Desert Queen)was is that she was horribly depressed which led her to commit suicide. Perhaps it was the cancer that was behind her depression but am sure much of it was also due to the kind of life she knew she had to face on her return to Old Blighty: a spinster, unlucky in love, dwindling finances, with a life behind her that would make her existence in England seem so hum-drum, prosaic.

So she might have taken her life rather than reconcile to a horrible boredom. That’s what those who’ve had adventurous, exciting lives often have to grapple with. As I mentioned in a post on this forum back in April(when I placed a link to a web site dedicated to Bell)her ex-friend, St. John Philby, who led an equally adventurous life, last words were: “God I’m bored”. But thankfully, most find ways to cope-sometimes by getting into weird things like collecting toy soldiers.

ROAN,
I love this post. I can relate to so much of what you say.
Ms Bell certainly seems to have been an amazing lady.

Cheers
H

 

[ROAN]

ROAN,
I love this post. I can relate to so much of what you say.
Ms Bell certainly seems to have been an amazing lady.

Cheers
H

Harry,

Appreciate your comment!

I see by your avatar that you too are a fan of dear old Flashy.

“Haw, haw it is Fwashman, I see.”
-Lord Cardigan, Flashman at the Charge


Geoff

 

[Harrytheheid]

Harry,

Appreciate your comment!

I see by your avatar that you too are a fan of dear old Flashy.

“Haw, haw it is Fwashman, I see.”
-Lord Cardigan, Flashman at the Charge


Geoff

Flashman? - A Veritable Icon.
I thought twice about ordering up the K&C UK Lord Cardigan figure cos of the way he treated my hero Flashy.........In real life......cut him dead.....on the Strand no less.

Cheers
H

 

[Currahee Chris]

Fellas-

what a great thread- yet again Pat, you've done it again!! That is a very kind woman to present such a kingly gift.

Pat- this thread shows why you are such a treasured member of the forum- you constantly say respectful things to people but also challenge us to learn- instead of checking ebay prices, we are learning and seeing stuff. I gotta be honest, I would never have known that there was a difference between the Giants and the other Durbars- I would have assumed somebody screwed up the molds or something but, alas, that isn't the case.

These are the kinds of sets my wife or mother could dig. It was a truly romantic era, when the Middle East was an inspiration for learning and adventure, not death and despair.

CC

 

[Harrytheheid]

Fellas-

what a great thread- yet again Pat, you've done it again!! That is a very kind woman to present such a kingly gift.

Pat- this thread shows why you are such a treasured member of the forum- you constantly say respectful things to people but also challenge us to learn- instead of checking ebay prices, we are learning and seeing stuff. I gotta be honest, I would never have known that there was a difference between the Giants and the other Durbars- I would have assumed somebody screwed up the molds or something but, alas, that isn't the case.

These are the kinds of sets my wife or mother could dig. It was a truly romantic era, when the Middle East was an inspiration for learning and adventure, not death and despair.

CC

There was another amazing lady who travelled throughout the Middle East.
Lady Hester Some-thing-or-other? I can't remember right now. But I have a book about her at home that I haven't read yet. I'll dig it out next week and post the book name and author.
There's simply no denying that there were some incredible women going around in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Chee4rs
H

 

[jazzeum]

Harry,

Do you mean Lady Hester Stanhope?

 

[Harrytheheid]

Harry,

Do you mean Lady Hester Stanhope?

Yup, I think that's the Lady Brad, the name certainly rings a bell. Like I said I haven't read the book yet, its been kept up my sleeve along with some others for the next time I come to Thailand. I'll tell you what though, I followed your link on Gertrude and read the Amazon blurb. That is another book I simply must track down, it looks really interesting.
Cheers
H

 

[Harrytheheid]

Harry,

Do you mean Lady Hester Stanhope?

Found it.
I bought it in Kuwait last year but have been reserving it cos I've had so many other books to read lately. This is coming to Thailand with me on 10th Feb. Looks really interesting.
Cheers
H

 

[jazzeum]

My mother just finished reading the Howell book and I mentioned the other one about Gertrude Bell and the book Harry has about Lady Stanhope. She found it a fascinating read.

 

[ROAN]

Found it.
I bought it in Kuwait last year but have been reserving it cos I've had so many other books to read lately. This is coming to Thailand with me on 10th Feb. Looks really interesting.
Cheers
H

The author of this book, Jan Morris, also wrote an excellent trilogy about the British Empire-Heaven's Command, Pax Britannica, and Farewell the Trumpets-under the name James Morris (before her gender change),a very readable narrative history.

 

[ROAN]

Another remarkable lady....
(title of book: Passionate Nomad: The Life of Freya Stark)

 

[Harrytheheid]

The author of this book, Jan Morris, also wrote an excellent trilogy about the British Empire-Heaven's Command, Pax Britannica, and Farewell the Trumpets-under the name James Morris (before her gender change),a very readable narrative history.

Hey, thanks for the heads up on these. I'm an avid reader as you've probably guessed by now and am always on the look-out for interesting books.
Best Regards
H

 

[Sreeks]

There were some remarkable Victorian and early 20th Century British women.

There always have been and there still are some amazing women around. Some of us even collect Delhi Durbar figures . I'm definitely adding these to my reading list. I long for the 1980s when so many films were being made about that time period, though. I wonder if any films have ever been made about Bell?

 

[marco55]

Great thread.I've always admired the British with their pluck and courage both male and female.Their wanderlust has changed the world.
Mark

 

[Harrytheheid]

Great thread.I've always admired the British with their pluck and courage both male and female.Their wanderlust has changed the world.
Mark

Aye, we Brits can be relied upon to pop up just about anywhere.
It's a really good thread this one and I'm glad its up for discussion again.

Cheers
H