This was a re-read for me, and I am so glad I read it again, I had forgotten so much. Elizabeth and her husband Bob move to an Iraqi village, soon after they are married so that Bob can do some research for his Doctorate. They have been invited to live in the compound of the local Sheik in El-Nahra. Although they will be living in a small guest house, most of their time will be spent separated during the day; Bob with the men, Elizabeth with the women. The Sheik's family live in the strict Shiite way. This is basically Elizabeth's memoir of their time in the village, but I would have loved to have heard more of Bob's side. It is dated, the book took place in 1957-58, and it was printed in 1965. Overall, I felt this was a good view into the lives of rural Iraqi village.