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Oman: A History

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Published in 1967 during the reign of the backwards and reclusive Sultan bin Taimur, Oman: A History, gives a picture of the country from prehistoric times onward. It is divided into the chapters, "The Dawn of Oman", "The Omani Empire in Africa", "The Albu Said Dynasty is founded", "Said the Great", "Said and the Slave Trade", "Murder, Slavery, and Rebellion", "Time of Troubles and the Buraimi Dispute", and "Revolt on the Green Mountain" and 3 short appendixes, "Christianity in Arabia", "Unveiling the Past" and "the Zanzibar Revolution". The book stresses the origins of Oman and the seemingly unstable rule of law which maintained stability through the strength of the Sultans of the Al Bu Said dynasty and their excellent statecraft and fair dealings in foreign and domestic affairs. The foreign aspect is also stressed in descriptions of trans-oceanic transport which Oman was largely dependant on, and the incredible might of its navel power for a country of its size, which has played such an important role in its history. The demise of Portuguese and Persian rule are discussed as well, reflecting the strong national identity based around Oman's unique form of Islam, (Ibadhi) which is crucial to understanding Oman. The great profits, and even greater evils, of the East African slave trade are covered in depth as well as Oman's rule of slaving colonies on the Swahili coast with grew to rival Oman itself in influence. Unfortunately, it ends three years before the most important event in Omani history, the coming to power of Qaboos bin Said, who single handedly transformed the country into a modern state based on oil revenues, brought it out of diplomatic and social isolation, and vastly improved the lives of the Omanis. The book's unique value lies primarily in that it is the last expert view of Oman when it was still terra incognita to the rest of the world.