A brief history of Saudi Arabia / James Wynbrandt ; foreword by Fawaz A. Gerges.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Wynbrandt, James.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Saudi Arabia--History.

Saudi Arabia.

History.

Genre:

History.

Physical Description:

xviii, 334 pages : illustrations, maps ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

New York : Facts On File, [2004]

Summary:

"An extremely important ally in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia is a mysterious land to most Americans, who may know it only as the place where Islam originated and Islamic fundamentalism is a powerful force. In recent years, the relationship between the governments of the United States and Saudi Arabia has created a need and desire for a greater understanding of Saudi Arabia among Western students and general readers alike. A language barrier and the closed nature of the Saudi Arabian society have done little to invite or ease open inquiry to all but trained academics and linguists. A Brief History of Saudi Arabia redresses the lack of suitable references to this unique and important country and offers a balanced, informed perspective on its long history." "This overview of the history of Saudi Arabia places the political, economic, and cultural events of today into a broad historical context. It provides a concise yet thorough account of the genesis of Saudi Arabia, from the geology of its landmass and its settlement in perhistoric times through recent events that have reminded the world of Saudi Arabia's strategic importance to global peace and stability. A chronology, a bibliography, and a list of suggested reading make up the appendices."--Jacket.

Contents:

Arabia : the land and its pre-Islamic history

The birth of Islam (571-632)

The Islamic Empire and Arabia (632-1258)

The golden age of Islam (c. 750-1258)

The Mamluks, Ottomans, and the Wahhabi-Al Saud alliance (1258-1745)

The first Saudi state (1745-1818)

Roots of modern Arabia (1818-1891)

Unity and independence (1891-1932)

Birth of a kingdom (1932-1953)

A path to world power (1953-1973)

Oil and arms (1973-1990)

The Gulf crisis and its aftermath (1990-2001)

The challenges ahead.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 307-315) and index.

Middle East Book Award - Youth Non-Fiction, Winner, 2010

ISBN:

0816052034

9780816052035

0816057958

9780816057955

OCLC:

53223452