In the summer of 1839, Henry
Layard—just twenty-two years old—left England for eastern Europe and distant
lands of the Ottoman Empire. He had never set foot in these regions before and
wasn’t fluent in their languages. But he would experience one dramatic adventure
after another, narrowly escaping death, combatting murderous thieves, riding
with Bakhtiari warriors in Persia, and going on secret missions for the British
embassy in Turkey. 


Layard made some of the most important
archaeology discoveries ever, uncovering the ruins of Nineveh in 1845, as well
as the lost Assyrian capital of Ashur. It’s thanks to his secret efforts that
scores of Yezidi refugees were saved from persecution. When he returned to
England, his personal account of his finds at Nineveh became a bestseller. He
went on to witness the famous Charge of the Light Brigade, investigated the
Indian Mutiny, and as Britain’s diplomat, he played a key role in saving
Istanbul from destruction and looting during a war. 


Real-life Indiana Jones meets Lawrence
of Arabia in Winged Bull, the first biography in half a
century to tell the story of Henry Layard and his daring adventures. While you
may not know his name, you likely have seen his work. The winged bulls, lions
and priceless treasures of art and jewellery that he found make up permanent
collections in institutions such as the British Museum, Britain’s National
Gallery and New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.


Layard may have also been the first “archaeologist with a conscience.”
While better known figures either stole their discoveries or bribed their way
into ruins, Layard sought formal permission from local authorities. His books
and letters draw a picture of a man who deeply respected the lands and cultures
he explored.


Using Layard’s own letters as well as archival materials and
never-before-published documents, author Jeff Pearce captures the life of a man
who was never at rest, whether galloping off with tribal rulers or standing up
for the poor and downtrodden as a British MP. Discover the life of Henry Layard
in this gripping tale of astonishing discoveries, swashbuckling exploits, and
political intrigue.