Modern Spies in the Land of Israel

Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1940. 1st Edition . Hardcover. Near Fine/Near Fine. Small 8vo. 112pp. Blue boards with gilt titles. Several pages of black and white photos. First edition. Inscribed by Bowen "to my dear sister Addie," on the front free end paper. Bowen traveled extensively in the Middle East with her husband, ultimately writing four books on the "customs and peoples of the Bible Lands." This volume is loosely organized around her observations of three classes of people: the Bedouin or nomad, the Fellah or peasant, and the Madany or city dweller. Although Bowen had a strong Christian background, her book is almost entirely free of cant or proselytizing. Instead her close attention captures everything from courting rituals to the structure of household furniture, to agricultural practices, to customs of food and dress, often noting continuities with Biblical scripture, as in the following description of the roofs of Fallaheen buildings: On the roof the natives dry figs and raisins, just as Rahab dried her flax at Jericho (Joshua 2:6). In the summer they often build a little booth up there as a cooler place in which to live (Neh. 8:16). Moderate spotting to textblock top, else near fine in a near fine jacket with one short closed tear at base of front panel and light general soiling. A fascinating piece of Middle East cultural anthropology before the establishment of the State of Israel.