Overview

In the summer of 1839, Henry Layard—just twenty-two years old—left England for eastern Europe and distant lands of the Ottoman Empire. He had never set foot in these regions before and wasn’t fluent in their languages. But he would experience one dramatic adventure after another, narrowly escaping death, combatting murderous thieves, riding with Bakhtiari warriors in Persia, and going on secret missions for the British embassy in Turkey.  Layard made some of the most important archaeology discoveries ever, uncovering the ruins of Nineveh in 1845, as well as the lost Assyrian capital of Ashur. It’s thanks to his secret efforts that scores of Yezidi refugees were saved from persecution. When he returned to England, his personal account of his finds at Nineveh became a bestseller. He went on to witness the famous Charge of the Light Brigade, investigated the Indian Mutiny, and as Britain’s diplomat, he played a key role in saving Istanbul from destruction and looting during a war.  Real-life Indiana Jones meets Lawrence of Arabia in Winged Bull, the first biography in half a century to tell the story of Henry Layard and his daring adventures. While you may not know his name, you likely have seen his work. The winged bulls, lions and priceless treasures of art and jewellery that he found make up permanent collections in institutions such as the British Museum, Britain’s National Gallery and New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Layard may have also been the first “archaeologist with a conscience.” While better known figures either stole their discoveries or bribed their way into ruins, Layard sought formal permission from local authorities. His books and letters draw a picture of a man who deeply respected the lands and cultures he explored. Using Layard’s own letters as well as archival materials and never-before-published documents, author Jeff Pearce captures the life of a man who was never at rest, whether galloping off with tribal rulers or standing up for the poor and downtrodden as a British MP. Discover the life of Henry Layard in this gripping tale of astonishing discoveries, swashbuckling exploits, and political intrigue.

Full Product Details

9781633886995

Table of Contents

Reviews

As a teenager I read an absorbing account of the discovery of the Lost City of Nineveh by Henry Layard. I wanted to read more about Layard and his adventures, but there was precious little. Imagine my delight on discovering Winged Bull by Jeff Pearce. Layard was equal parts adventurer, archeologist, author, spy, politician, art historian, and diplomat. He is all that and more, and Pearce's treatment of this intrepid soul assists us in understanding, appreciating, and admiring him. Winged Bull, an edge-of-the-seat series of dangers and intrigue, captivates and enthralls. - W. C. Jameson, author of The Lost Canyon of Gold

An exciting biography of celebrated nineteenth-century adventurer Henry Layard. --Foreword Reviews Archeology buffs will be engrossed. -Publishers Weekly As a teenager I read an absorbing account of the discovery of the Lost City of Nineveh by Henry Layard. I wanted to read more about Layard and his adventures, but there was precious little. Imagine my delight on discovering Winged Bull by Jeff Pearce. Layard was equal parts adventurer, archaeologist, author, spy, politician, art historian, and diplomat. He is all that and more, and Pearce's treatment of this intrepid soul assists us in understanding, appreciating, and admiring him. Winged Bull, an edge-of-the-seat series of dangers and intrigue, captivates and enthralls. - W. C. Jameson, author of The Lost Canyon of Gold

As a teenager I read an absorbing account of the discovery of the Lost City of Nineveh by Henry Layard. I wanted to read more about Layard and his adventures, but there was precious little. Imagine my delight on discovering Winged Bull by Jeff Pearce. Layard was equal parts adventurer, archaeologist, author, spy, politician, art historian, and diplomat. He is all that and more, and Pearce's treatment of this intrepid soul assists us in understanding, appreciating, and admiring him. Winged Bull, an edge-of-the-seat series of dangers and intrigue, captivates and enthralls. - W. C. Jameson, author of The Lost Canyon of Gold

"""An exciting biography of celebrated nineteenth-century adventurer Henry Layard.""--Foreword Reviews ""Archeology buffs will be engrossed.""-Publishers Weekly ""As a teenager I read an absorbing account of the discovery of the Lost City of Nineveh by Henry Layard. I wanted to read more about Layard and his adventures, but there was precious little. Imagine my delight on discovering Winged Bull by Jeff Pearce. Layard was equal parts adventurer, archaeologist, author, spy, politician, art historian, and diplomat. He is all that and more, and Pearce's treatment of this intrepid soul assists us in understanding, appreciating, and admiring him. Winged Bull, an edge-of-the-seat series of dangers and intrigue, captivates and enthralls."" - W. C. Jameson, author of The Lost Canyon of Gold"

"""An exciting biography of celebrated nineteenth-century adventurer Henry Layard."" --Foreword Reviews ""Archeology buffs will be engrossed.""-Publishers Weekly ""As a teenager I read an absorbing account of the discovery of the Lost City of Nineveh by Henry Layard. I wanted to read more about Layard and his adventures, but there was precious little. Imagine my delight on discovering Winged Bull by Jeff Pearce. Layard was equal parts adventurer, archaeologist, author, spy, politician, art historian, and diplomat. He is all that and more, and Pearce's treatment of this intrepid soul assists us in understanding, appreciating, and admiring him. Winged Bull, an edge-of-the-seat series of dangers and intrigue, captivates and enthralls."" - W. C. Jameson, author of The Lost Canyon of Gold"

Archeology buffs will be engrossed. -Publishers Weekly As a teenager I read an absorbing account of the discovery of the Lost City of Nineveh by Henry Layard. I wanted to read more about Layard and his adventures, but there was precious little. Imagine my delight on discovering Winged Bull by Jeff Pearce. Layard was equal parts adventurer, archaeologist, author, spy, politician, art historian, and diplomat. He is all that and more, and Pearce's treatment of this intrepid soul assists us in understanding, appreciating, and admiring him. Winged Bull, an edge-of-the-seat series of dangers and intrigue, captivates and enthralls. - W. C. Jameson, author of The Lost Canyon of Gold

Author Information

Jeff Pearce (Toronto, CA) has traveled far to get his unusual and compelling stories. He’s interviewed a Kurdish army commander on the Iraqi front near Mosul, and he’s taught journalism in Myanmar. He’s investigated the dangerous realm of street gangs, and he’s tracked down survivors of a war in Africa that changed the world. Pearce has worked for print and broadcast media operations both in Canada and the UK, and he has contributed Op-Ed pieces to the Toronto Star, the Globe and Mail, and Myanmar’s Irrawaddy among other publications. He is also known for his on-camera contributions to the Haile Selassie documentary, Faces of Africa.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available