Books like Land of marvels by Barry Unsworth
Set against the final years of the Ottoman Empire, Barry Unsworth’s thriller follows Somerville, a British archaeologist discovering a buried Assyrian palace. As a new railroad to Baghdad threatens his find, he and his companions—including Somerville’s wife, Edith; student Patricia; and Arab Jehar—must contend with rival factions. An American geologist from an oil company and other covert actors infiltrate the excavation, each seeking a stake in Iraq’s valuable oil reserves. Unsworth weaves political intrigue, archaeology, and the early 20th‑century petroleum rush into a vivid historical narrative.
First publish date: 2009
Genre: Historical Fiction/20th Century Historical Fiction
Authors: Barry Unsworth
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