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On Saudi Arabia: Its People, Past, Religion, Fault Lines - And Future (2012)

by Karen Elliott House(Favorite Author)

3.73 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

0307272168 (ISBN13: 9780307272164)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Knopf

review 1: This book looks at contemporary Saudi Arabia through the lens of various demographic and socio-economic faultlines that the author believes threaten the stability of the country. Much of the material is familiar from other sources, but the author does a good job of presenting both sides of the argument in terms of some Saudis being rebellious while others become increasingly conservative. Her argument is that both threaten the stability of the regime, because the conservative Saudis challenge the prevailing system as to its religious rigor. Overall, I'm not sure that she proves her case, but it is a well-written book, and does provide some insight into a fascinating part of the world.
review 2: This book was very well written and based on Karen Elliott's extens... moreive experience in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. Having lived in Saudi Arabia in the 90s, I wanted to compare her experiences with mine and, hopefully, gain a deeper and broader understanding of Saudi Arabia. The current Al Saud royalty survived 80 years based on the application of three key elements from the past to the present: 1-divide & conquer or manipulate royal groupings and foreign allies, 2- loyalty and submission or clever use of money and 3- pervasive role of religion or obedience to Allah (or Al Saud). She also explores how oil-rich Saudi Arabia has become a welfare state and the choices facing the Al Saud royalty in our modern world of global warming and decreasing oil supplies. I read Hilary Mantel's Eight Months On Ghazzah Street,a fictional account based on her experiences living in SA. They make a terrific combination! less

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