Present Containing Books Inside the Kingdom: Kings, Clerics, Modernists, Terrorists and the Struggle for Saudi Arabia
| Title | : | Inside the Kingdom: Kings, Clerics, Modernists, Terrorists and the Struggle for Saudi Arabia |
| Author | : | Robert Lacey |
| Book Format | : | Hardcover |
| Book Edition | : | Special Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 432 pages |
| Published | : | October 15th 2009 by Viking/Penguin Group (NYC) (first published January 1st 2009) |
| Categories | : | History. Nonfiction. Politics |

Robert Lacey
Hardcover | Pages: 432 pages Rating: 4.03 | 2667 Users | 387 Reviews
Explanation To Books Inside the Kingdom: Kings, Clerics, Modernists, Terrorists and the Struggle for Saudi Arabia
What happened in the Middle East's oil-rich powerhouse while we weren't looking? Saudi Arabia is a country defined by paradox. It's a modern state driven by contemporary technology & possessed of vast oil deposits, yet its powerful religious establishment would have its customs & practices rolled back 1000 years to match those of the prophet Muhammad. With Inside the Kingdom, journalist & bestselling author Robert Lacey has given us one of the most penetrating & insightful looks at Saudi Arabia ever produced. While living for years among the nation's princes & paupers, its clerics & progressives, Lacey endeavored to find out how the consequences of the 1970s oil boom produced a society at war with itself. Filled with stories that trace a path thru the Persian Gulf War & the events of 9/11 to the oilmarket convulsions of today, Inside the Kingdom gives a modern history of the Saudis in their own words, revealing a people attempting to reconcile life under religious law with the demands of a rapidly changing world. Their struggle will have powerful reverberations around the globe. This rich work provides a penetrating look at a country no one can afford to ignore.Be Specific About Books Supposing Inside the Kingdom: Kings, Clerics, Modernists, Terrorists and the Struggle for Saudi Arabia
| Original Title: | Inside the Kingdom: Kings, Clerics, Modernists, Terrorists and the Struggle for Saudi Arabia |
| ISBN: | 0670021180 (ISBN13: 9780670021185) |
| Edition Language: | English |
Rating Containing Books Inside the Kingdom: Kings, Clerics, Modernists, Terrorists and the Struggle for Saudi Arabia
Ratings: 4.03 From 2667 Users | 387 ReviewsCriticize Containing Books Inside the Kingdom: Kings, Clerics, Modernists, Terrorists and the Struggle for Saudi Arabia
Very interesting examination of modern-day Saudi Arabia since the late 1970's. The author doesn't tiptoe around criticisms of the Saudi government and Saudi character - but in the end it feels like a fair portrait, highlighting the good and the bad.This is essentially an account of important political or social events in Saudi Arabia from 1978 to the present. I felt a bit lost the entire first half of the book. I know nothing about Saudi Arabia other than from my general knowledge of current events and basic history. So, it's possible that Lacey's first book on the kingdom is required reading prior to picking up this one, given my background. The second half of the book read more smoothly and made more sense, perhaps because it was
Extremely informative work of nonfiction. I was skeptical at the beginning that it would be western - point of view focused, but it isn't. I recommend this read to everyone that lives in the region and wants to know more about the dynamics of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.

A light and entertaining book on the last thirty years of the Saudi Arabia. The book is written by British journalist, so it is not as thorough or deep as the ones written by academic historian. Here you can find interesting information mostly on the life of major players in the history of the country: royal family , clergy and that other major export of the Kingdom apart from oil : terrorists. I would love to read more on the life of ordinary people, but understand that it might be impossible
Well, what an excellent book and so important at this time in history. While the major focus of Inside the Kingdom is the history of Saudia Arabia and it's interactions with the world from the mid 1970s forward, history of the founding of the house of Saud is provided. This was enough for an uninformed reader such as this one to follow the rest of the story. I would suggest that readers not worry if they lose track of names while reading this book...I can almost promise that it will happen to
While I really enjoyed this book and the historical background it presented, the orientalist undertones were a major drawback.
I'll give this book a 3.75. It was very readable and the interplay between the secular and religious sectors of society was intriguing. For me, however, the narrative lost a bit of steam over the last 50 or 60 pages. A tale of a country and its people being dragged into the 21st century kicking and screaming. Give it a try if your interested in the middle east.


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