Narrative of the life and adventures of Giovanni Finati,

the first saudi state and the loss of mecca

Rare early account of Saudi Arabia and Mecca and Medina.

Finati travelled extensively in the Middle East, often acting as guide and translator to European explorers in the region. As a young man, he fought on the side of the Ottomans under Muhammad Ali Pasha in the Ottoman–Wahhabi war which resulted in the conquest Mecca and Medina. He recounts the important actions of the conflict, including the capture of Yanbu, the victory of the Saudis in the battle of Al-Safra, the battle of Turuba, the capture of Mecca and Medina, and the retreat of Abdullah bin Saud Al Saud's forces to the fateful siege of Diriyah.

The description of Mecca is particularly early in English, predating Burton's by 25 years, and includes descriptions of the ceremonies of the Hajj. As a fairly humble interpreter, Finati's account gives a much more transparent look at the Hejaz region as it went through a period of turmoil. Finati was accompanied by Bankes, but also encountered other greats of the day such as Byron, Buckingham, Hobhouse, Salt, Belzoni, and Lady Stanhope.

First edition; 2 vols, 12mo (17 x 11 cm); folding engraved map as frontispiece, slight offsetting to title; nineteenth-century half blue calf, marbled boards, gilt lettering to spines in five flat compartments, all edges speckled red, a little rubbed, a very good set; xxvii, 296; viii, 430 pp.