Lonely Planet Saudi Arabia (Paperback)

by Anthony Ham (Author), Brekhus Shams (Author), Anthony Madden (Author) "Saudi Arabia is a surprising land of contrasts, with jaw-dropping mountain scenery at Al-Soudah (p133) and Habalah (p133); expanses of sand dunes near Sharurah (p146);..." (more)
Key Phrases: international call cabin, many expats, houbara bustard, Saudi Arabia, Abdul Aziz, Madain Saleh (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The vast stretches of the Empty Quarter, Madain Saleh's archaeological treasures, ultramodern cities, evocative souqs, Red Sea diving and Najran's green mountains - Saudi Arabia offers the excitement and intrigue of the Arabian Nights. Whether you're here to live and work, or just to explore, this definitive guidebook is your essential companion.

• CONNECT WITH THE CULTURE with our discerning coverage of Saudi Arabia's history and way of life, including a chapter devoted to the Hajj pilgrimage
• SETTLE IN with our Expats chapter, providing insightful and practical information for the visiting worker
• MAKE TRACKS following our coverage of the Empty Quarter and the great outdoors - you choose your activity and we'll tell you how
• DINE LIKE A PRINCE or savour the delights of street-side restaurants - whether it's a Bedouin feast or a camel steak you're after, we will direct you to the right table
• GET AROUND using our detailed maps to the Kingdom's main centres and more remote regions

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications; illustrated edition edition (September 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1740596676
• ISBN-13: 978-1740596671
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #555,482 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An ok place to start, September 17, 2004

By	J. Burgess "jfb1138" (Sarasota, FL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As with most guidebooks, you can't really expect much depth in this one. I think the book errs in trying too hard to discuss political events and not enough on what the country's really like. It's not at all clear, in fact, that Mr. Ham actually ever visited the country.

His political discussions are actually quite dated, even though the book same out only a couple of years ago. Much has changed since 2002, when the Saudis themselves were the victims of terrorist attacks. The country is planning its first nation-wide municipal, elections, for instance. This would come as a major surprise if you were to rely on this book alone.

The book's not bad, but it's really for people who know nothing much about the country. There are better books available, particularly Thomas Lippman's "Inside the Mirage". That book, though longer, is actually easier to read.