This vivid history of Saudi Arabia and its rapid development from the Middle Ages to Post-modernism because of a geographical and geological quirk of fate, comes over with even more conviction because the author immersed himself in Arabic and things Arabian for four years while writing it. Never avoiding fair criticism, he nevertheless with great respect and empathy lays bare the many conflicting elements - religious, economic, political - to give a much deeper understanding of the country whose unending supply of oil has become so important to universal welfare.
(Kathie Somerwil Ayrton - bwl 103 Winter 2022 ) |
