This book examines the way in which Middle Eastern women were regarded by European travellers of the late-19th and early-20th centuries. Much of the writing is concerned with the secrets of the harem. There was much romantic speculation about the lives of the women, but it was also felt that their lot was to be pitied when compared to that of European women. The author of this book argues that such an opinion was based on a hypocritical set of assumptions about European women.

Judy Mabro is author of 'I Ban Everything: Free Speech and Censorship in Oxford Between the Wars' (1985).