The preface to this work describes how its authors, Charles Irby (1789–1845) and James Mangles (1786–1867), both officers in the Royal Navy, left England in 1816 for a tour of the continent. 'Curiosity at first, and an increasing admiration of antiquities as they advanced, carried them at length through several parts of the Levant.' On their return to England, interest in Egypt being at its height, they were persuaded to compile this book from their letters to friends and family at home, and had it privately printed in 1823. Their account begins in Cairo, whence they made a journey down the Nile, meeting with Giovanni Belzoni at Abu Simbel. They then travelled from Cairo across the desert and along the coast of the Holy Land, reaching Aleppo and exploring Syria. This detailed account of their two-year travels provides much information of continuing interest to archaeologists and historians.