The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [Paperback]

David E. Long (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1998

David Long’s portrait of Saudi Arabia depicts the kingdom as one of the least understood countries in the world. Encompassing all facets of Saudi life—the land and people, their religion and culture, the country’s history, politics, economics, and foreign policy—the book presents scholarship in a highly readable narrative. Drawing upon extensive firsthand experience, Long depicts the often contradictory impulses of a country committed both to modernization and to the values of a traditional society. Alongside his discussion of oil and the Saudi economy, for example, is a chapter on the annual Hajj, or pilgrimage, to Makkah, a subject about which little has been written in English but one that is far more important to the millions of Muslims worldwide than the kingdom’s oil wealth. At every turn Long looks at issues from a Saudi point of view as he explores the kingdom’s successes, failures, and, most of all, its remarkable resiliency in response to the pressures of social change.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

"A book full of insights into a complex and often misunderstood society which has so far managed to reconcile the secularizing influences of modern technology with its strong religious traditions. . . . Sophisticated and penetrating."--International Journal

 

"Will undoubtedly become the new reference work on Saudi Arabia, and is accessible enough for undergraduates to use."--Middle East Studies Association Bulletin

 

"With succinct chapters on Saudi geography and people, history and politics, oil and development, foreign and security politics, and a particularly fine essay on the hajj, Long's book is remarkably successful in providing a feel for this country of startling contrasts and anomalies. . . . This short and readable handbook is an extraordinary resource for up-to-date information and fair-minded interpretation."--Choice

 

This second edition has been thoroughly revised and updated, and includes new chapters on tradition and modernity and on Islam and society. It features extensive analysis of the substantial political, economic, and social changes that have taken place in the past ten years, including 9/11, the U.S. war on terror, the Saudi war on terror, oil pricing, and technological advancements.

 

 

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

David E. Long, a retired diplomat and professor, is currently an international consultant on the Middle East and international terrorism. Sebastian Maisel is assistant professor of Arabic and Middle East studies at Grand Valley State University.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: University Press of Florida (February 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813014735
• ISBN-13: 978-0813014739
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,530,246 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Succinct Review, October 23, 2000

By 

Nestor Sander "rotsen 92" (Modesto, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Hardcover)

This slender book appears to be the published version of a thesis. It covers in brief but reasonably complete form the several aspects of Saudi Arabia, its history, the governing family, the economy, politics, the oil story, the Hajj and security. Its prognostications for the future seem reasonable. I was forced to question its accuracy in every category when I found the date of Abdul Aziz's decease given as 1950. Many have followed the leader in stating that he was born in 1880, as does Long, but it is was in fact the year 1876, probably in October or November, that he first saw light and he died in 1953.. The photographs are reproduced on the text stock, thus reducing their intrinsic value.I find the book overpriced. Its page total is 154, which is less than the total given in the blurb.

7 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Informative but not critical enough, October 31, 2003

By 

Seth J. Frantzman (Jerusalem, Israel) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Hardcover)

This book is very informative and takes one on a tour of Saudi life and Saudi politics, including the essential problems facing Saudis Fuedal royal family.

The main downfall of this book, along with so many on Saudi, is that it is not ciritcal enough of this country where the status of women is the worst on earth. In Saudi women can drive, they cant leave the house without written permision of a male, only 4% of Saudi workers are women, in essence this is a fascist country but those being persecuted arnt a race, they are instead a sex. Thier is something profoundly wrong with a country who sends male delegations to international womens conferences(every other delegate is female). The Saudis laws are so archaic, and so backwards and none of this is detailed in this book. Instead the author refers to the country as 'traditiona'. Hmmm, if traditional means the total suppression of half of humanity then I guess thats accurate, except I always thought traditional simply meant conservative, as in Sicily or Mexico.

An informative book but not the whole story. For a more thorough investigation of Saudi women read 'Nine Parts of Desire'.

3 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book I have ever read., August 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Hardcover)

I high level writing I have ever meet. I hope every people will introduce with this book to acquire knowledge about SAUDI ARABIA.