If you have ever wandered around Mutrah Souq and wondered about its history the book Thrown Down the Anchor is a great read, written by Maxine Burden. Its full of personal recollections of the time, not so long ago, when the souq was the hub of all things commercial in the Muscat area.
Fortunately, it includes all personalities for, as Mutrah is a port on the trade routes of the Arabian Sea, there are people who ‘washed up’ in the souq from around the greater region and beyond. ‘Banyans’ the Indian trading community, European women who married Omani men, the much photographed, Salim Shunoon the coffee seller, and longer-term residents whose recollections flesh out the story. Other Omanis, both well known and less prominent tell their story. If you buy a copy for yourself, don’t forget the extra one for your friend who may want to ‘borrow’ this wonderful coffee table book.
I guess I’d have to by a hard copy, its not available on ibooks
Few Oman book are available digitally – wait till you visit.
How do I get a copy?
Sorry to say James – its only available (I think) though either
Bait Zubair Museum Shop http://www.baitalzubairmuseum.com
or Centre for Omani Dress http://www.centreforomanidress.com/
It is a good book – esp if you are interested in Oman or trade in Arabia