In the Spring of 1922, Leopold Weiss recieved a invitation to live in Jerusalem, in the Old City near the Jaffa Gate. Part of a growing youthful Viennese literati that was turning eastward for spiritual and intellectual nourishment, he jumped at the chance, and consequently spent months travelling the Middle East. When he returned to Germany he published his memoirs.
This is the first English translation of a forgotten glimpse into a European's travels in 20th century Middle-East. We see how Weiss found a sense of belonging in a unknown and intriguing land. For the soon to convert to Islam Weiss, we also see his search for inspiration and certitiude, and he whether deliberately or not, manages to capture his spiritual transformation within his journal entries.
All in all a fascinating travelogue that traverses Palestine, Trans-Jordan, Egypt, Istanbul and Damascus.