This collection of books details colonial accounts of exploration, excavation and cultural comparison of areas of the world encompassing modern day Iraq, Iran (formerly known under terms: Nineveh, Persia, Babylonia), Turkey and Russia. There are published works of a military political nature regarding Russia and Turkey. Additionally, there are some travel accounts along west coastal Africa. A smaller collection of published material is dedicated to autobiographical accounts of Austen Henry Layard, up until his ambassadorship in Madrid.

Books on Arabic and Persian languages, and on the history and antiquities of Arabia, Iraq and the Near East that formed part of Gertrude Bell's working library.