Originally published in 1908 under the title in the Land of Mosques and Minarets, this book was reissued in 1924 as The Spell of Algeria and Tunisia. At the time of Francis Miltoun's travels, new trade links were being forged and the wealth of North Africa was beginning to be exploited by America and Europe. The region was 'fast becoming known to the world of modern travellers as the newest winter playground', but despite the invasions of Western culture and tourism, the Arab retained much of his enigmatic Oriental mystique: 'What the Arab thinks about, and what he is likely to do next no one knows, or can even conjecture with any degree of certainty', observes the author, whose knowledge of Algeria and Tunisia and their inhabitants is impressive.

Against the background of the eventful history and the recent economic development of the two countries, the author draws a vivid picture of contemporary Arab society and describes the main places of interest for the casual tourist or more serious traveller, enlivening the account with amusing stories of his own adventures. The book is reprinted here in a handsome facsimile of the 1924 edition, complete with Blanche McManus's numerous colour plates, drawings and maps.