The History of Saudi Arabia
Editorial Reviews
Book Description
Recipient of the CHOICE 1999 Outstanding Academic title
Among the numerous publications on the history of the Arabian peninsula, The History of Saudi Arabia is unique in its comprehensive coverage of the evolution of the socio-political structure of Saudi society during the 250 years of its existence.
Among the vast array of topics, the author studies the movement of the Wahhabi religious reformers, who call themselves muwahhidun (believers in one God), the various stages of development of the Saudi state, the role of the 'oil factor' in the transformation of Saudi society, the appearance of frequently conflictual new classes and social groups, and Saudi Arabia's role in the international arena.
The book is based on a wealth of sources: Arab texts (including many original Arabian chronicles) by both protagonists and antagonists of the Saudi dynasty and the Wahhabis; accounts by European travellers, diplomats, scholars and intelligence officers from the eighteenth to the twentieth century; the documents and publications of the British administration in India; twentieth-century Arabic sources, including not only official Saudi publications but also accounts by participants in the formative events described; works by prominent east European academics that have previously been unavailable in English; US publications; and Russian sources, including the previously untapped riches of the Russian archives.
The History of Saudi Arabia,Alexei Vassiliev,Saqi Books,0863569358,History,History - General History,History: World,Middle East - General,Middle East - Saudi Arabia,Reference,Saudi Arabia,Saudi Arabia - History,20th century,Arabian peninsula,Asian / Middle Eastern history: c 1500 to c 1900,History / Middle East,c 1700 to c 1800,c 1800 to c 1900
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