Forget everything you think you know about Victorian ladies. Jane Dieulafoy was a force of nature. In 1881, she and her husband Marcel embarked on a crazy, ambitious trip from France to Persia. Their goal was to excavate the ancient city of Susa, a place mentioned in the Bible but lost to time. The book is her diary of that two-year adventure.

The Story

This is a travelogue with a shovel. Jane chronicles the whole messy, thrilling process. We follow them as they sail, ride on horseback for weeks, and set up camp in the desert. The plot is the expedition itself. The obstacles are constant: suspicious local officials, the threat of disease, extreme heat, and the logistical nightmare of moving tons of earth. The "characters" are the people they meet—from Persian governors to their own hardworking crew. The climax is the slow, painstaking discovery of the palace walls and the famous glazed-brick friezes of lions and archers. It's a story of patience, persistence, and dirt under the fingernails.

Why You Should Read It

Jane's voice is the best part. She's not a detached observer; she's in the thick of it, sweating and problem-solving. She writes with a sharp eye and dry wit about the cultures she encounters, and her love for the history she's uncovering is contagious. But what really gets me is her sheer audacity. By dressing as a man (which she called her "traveling costume"), she gained a freedom most women of her time could never imagine. She doesn't make a huge fuss about it—she just gets on with the job. That quiet rebellion is incredibly powerful. You're not just reading about ancient ruins; you're witnessing a modern mind crashing into the ancient and recent past.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who enjoys real adventures, armchair travel, or stories about fascinating women history forgot. It's for readers who liked The Lost City of Z but want a first-hand account. You don't need to be an archaeology expert; Jane explains things clearly as she goes. Just be ready for a bumpy, fascinating ride across deserts and centuries with one of the coolest travel companions you'll ever find in a book.