King's Shadow

Obviously required a lot of research. Still, the feeling is a little muddled, due mostly to the life of the protagonist.

“One archaeologist noticed two rude lines of verse, scratched on the rock wall, in front of their very noses: If any fools this high samootch explore, Know Charles Masson has been here before.”
~
The story is a fun, adventurous, and wild journey through the Middle East in the early 1800s in search of freedom, lost history, and a little recognition. Following a deserter, who becomes a historian, I found Charles Masson captivating as he evaded the East India Trading Company, dined with rulers, was forced into espionage, and fell in love with the search for a lost history. At times the story is exciting, at some it is mundane, and at others a little bit sad, but overall it is fascinating. Masson's love for Afghanistan at that time is contagious, and his search for one of the cities of Alexandria is enchanting.