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The three major neighbouring states of the Arabian Peninsula - Saudi Arabia, Oman and Yemen - make for strange bedfellows. They are governed by three very different systems with very different results, calling into question how their internal policies affect regional relations and vice versa. Saudi Arabia is a monarchy, a prosperous, religious and restrictive state generally considered secure but facing problems of increasing social unrest. Oman is a small, thriving, stable sultanate, modernised and moderate but tightly controlled; and the republic of Yemen, which has the region's poorest economy, has still not shrugged off the legacy of its turbulent modern history. Each state adheres to a different Islamic sect, moreover, and though their populations are overwhelmingly Arab, differing tribal structures result in widely variant effects on the political process in their respective systems. Each state has also had extensive historical relationships with the Ottoman and British empires, the US and Russia, and these too have coloured regional relations.Recent events like the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 and the American-led invasion of Iraq have also influenced these states' internal policy decisions, further affecting their dealings with one another and at with the world at large. Manea examines each country in detail, from state formation to current affairs and from local to international government. ... Read more

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Women's contributions to Arabic and Islamic society, be they cultural, religious, medical or military, have been recorded by Muslim historians throughout the ages. No biographical dictionary of any worth was considered complete unless it mentioned prominent women, a tradition stemming from the earliest Islamic biographies which all included the female companions of the Prophet as well as mothers of notable men. However, little has been written about the contribution of women from more recent contemporary central Arabian society.Published in association with Saudi Arabia's King Abdul Aziz Foundation for Research and Archives, "Prominent Women from Central Arabia" explores sources ranging from published material to manuscripts, documents and oral history in an attempt to redress the balance. In all, the book contains fifty-two biographies of women who lived from the beginning of the eighteenth century until the death of King 'Abd al-'Aziz al-Saud in 1953, and the women studied include notable poets, educators and great donors of charitable works, amongst others.Above all, the book highlights the enormous contribution of the women of Central Arabia during the period under consideration, demonstrating that, contrary to popular misconception, their influence has in fact been highly significant. ... Read more

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In the introduction to his History, al-T'abari declared his intention to append to it a biographical work for the reader's convenience. Only a collection of excerpts has survived, however. It was first published as part of the Leiden edition of the History and is now presented as a volume in the T'abari Translation Project. It brings together biographies of Companions, successors, and scholars of subsequent generations; many chapters are devoted to women related to the Prophet who played a role in the transmission of knowledge. The biographies vary in length and style, ranging from a mere identification of a person to long accounts and anecdotes.

This volume represents a long tradition characteristic of Muslim culture. Muslim scholars developed biographical literature into a rich and complex genre. It was intended to be an auxiliary branch of religious study, aimed at determining the reliability of chains of transmission through which traditions were handed down. More often than not, however, works in this genre contain valuable historical information of the kind often ignored by the authors of mainstream history books. Even though not a complete work, this volume is thus not merely a supplement to al-T'abari's History but also a source in its own right, often supplying new and rare insights into events and social conditions. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (3)

Folk ethnography of a group of Saudi elites
This work is an ethnography of the elites of Hijazi society and their attempts to preserve and in some instances embellish or invent their local traditions and thereby assert their distinctiveness from broader Saudi society.That practice is not without its peril in the face of the overbearing Najdi cultural uniformity imposed by the house of Saud.For it means denying in often subtle ways official nationalistic doctrines in a state not known for its tolerance of diversity.That the Hijaz is the birthplace of Islam and its prophet shields the Hijazi elite, the `awa'il (prominent families), some of whom can rightly claim descent from the Prophet or his companions, from some of the censure that other segments of Saudi society could face when asserting their own regional identities.Nevertheless it does not entirely remove them from the scrutiny of the religious police and other elements of official enforcement.

The author sets about cataloguing the techniques employed by these prominent Hijazi families to affirm their unique identities as placing them apart from their Najdi cousins, whom they tend to regard as something of uncouth bumpkins next to their venerable, urbane cosmopolitanism.As she observes, this is practised in some of the most basic aspects and activities of human existence.Things like manner of dress; habits of eating and entertaining; rituals surrounding birth, death, and marriage; and the observance of festivities in the religious calendar are all invested with significance for the Hijazi identity.As such they may attract the attention of the authorities, who on one hand are anxious to minimize regional differences but who on the other wish to cultivate the favour of Hijazi notables precisely for their sophistication in education, commerce, and technical skill.

This is an engaging book for all of its being somewhat naïve in its execution, arising perhaps out of the author's origins among the self same people as those she is examining.It thus falls into that genre of anthropological writing and inquiry performed by natives of the societies under study.There is nothing at all wrong with this.True to one of the characteristics of that genre, it tends to favour description over theory.Given the present state of anthropological theory--if such it may be called now--as it has devolved over the last generation, this may be a good thing.Toward the end of the work, the author makes a few attempts at aligning her work with some current fashions when she speaks of the gendering of Hijazi society, but she is not clear about what she means by that or how she views it.Indeed, this itself tends to be a bit of a gendered work as such, inasmuch as the author dwells somewhat more on the distaff side of Hijazi elite society.This too reflects her own origins, as it were, and is not necessarily to be lamented.

Cradle of Islam : The Hijaz and the Quest for an Arabian Identity
The Saudi challenge remains one of Washington's greatest. While nominally a U.S. ally, Saudi princes regularly donate to Al-Qaeda, Hamas, and other terrorist groups. Saudi schools promote Wahhabism, the radical and intolerant interpretation of Islam embraced by Osama bin Laden and the 9-11 hijackers.

Despite this, many of those who watch the kingdom maintain that any U.S. government decrease in support for the Saudi royal family would backfire. They say that the Saud are the lesser of two evils: no matter how corrupt and unhelpful King Fahd and his family may be, the even more Islamist Ikhwan, fiercely conservative tribal Bedouin, would be worse.

Yamani, a Saudi scholar resident at London's Royal Institute for International Affairs, has another idea. In Cradle of Islam, she provides a detailed study of the Hijazi identity, a taboo subject inside the kingdom today. She begins with a brief account of how, in 1924, Abdul Aziz Saud and tribesmen from Najd, the conservative central region of Arabia, overran the more cosmopolitan kingdom of Hijaz, home to such cities as Mecca, Medina, and Jeddah. The conquest of Hijaz was easier than its digestion. It would be eight years before the Saudi family would feel secure enough in their control to abolish Hijaz and announce the formation of Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi state was not able to eradicate regional feeling despite sometimes violent attempts to stifle dissent. The reasons are multifold: tribal Najdis continue to resist assimilation of the urban Hijazis, forcing Hijazis to rally around their own. Traditional families of Mecca and Medina, meanwhile, resent the Najdi takeover of the lucrative pilgrimage trade. While Najdi religious clerics imposed Wahhabism upon their Hijazi brethren, they distrust the sincerity of the conversion. Many Hijazis prefer a more liberal approach to religion. As a result, Saudi history is punctuated by occasional purges of Hijazi elites from positions of influence.

Yamani details the interactions of elite Hijazi families as a window into the survival of Hijazi identity. The meat of her study is anthropological. By examining everything from customs of birth, marriage, death, and life events in between, Yamani constructs a convincing argument that the Saudis' 80-year effort to eradicate Hijazi culture and society has failed. Hijazi retain a strong identity, often catalyzed by Riyadh's "Saudification" policies.

So where goes Hijaz? Yamani suggests that it will play an intermediary role between the Saudi orthodoxy to which it remains economically connected and the more cosmopolitan Arab world with which it identifies culturally. With an identity too strong for Riyadh to eradicate, Hijaz might be a moderating influence within the Saudi state. At the very least, a better understanding of Saudi regionalism bypasses the old argument that Western governments should support the Saudi royal family only because the Ikhwan are worse. That might be true, but bolstering relations with regional elites might provide a way to withdrawal some support from the Saudi royal family without necessarily empowering even more Islamist elements.

Middle East Quarterly, Summer 2005

Perhaps the source on Hijazi identity in Saudi Arabia...
The Saudi challenge remains one of Washington's greatest. While nominally a U.S. ally, Saudi princes regularly donate to Al-Qaeda, Hamas, and other terrorist groups. Saudi schools promote Wahhabism, the radical and intolerant interpretation of Islam embraced by Osama bin Laden and the 9-11 hijackers.

Despite this, many of those who watch the kingdom maintain that any U.S. government decrease in support for the Saudi royal family would backfire. They say that the Saud are the lesser of two evils: no matter how corrupt and unhelpful King Fahd and his family may be, the even more Islamist Ikhwan, fiercely conservative tribal Bedouin, would be worse.

Yamani, a Saudi scholar resident at London's Royal Institute for International Affairs, has another idea. In Cradle of Islam, she provides a detailed study of the Hijazi identity, a taboo subject inside the kingdom today. She begins with a brief account of how, in 1924, Abdul Aziz Saud and tribesmen from Najd, the conservative central region of Arabia, overran the more cosmopolitan kingdom of Hijaz, home to such cities as Mecca, Medina, and Jeddah. The conquest of Hijaz was easier than its digestion. It would be eight years before the Saudi family would feel secure enough in their control to abolish Hijaz and announce the formation of Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi state was not able to eradicate regional feeling despite sometimes violent attempts to stifle dissent. The reasons are multifold: tribal Najdis continue to resist assimilation of the urban Hijazis, forcing Hijazis to rally around their own. Traditional families of Mecca and Medina, meanwhile, resent the Najdi takeover of the lucrative pilgrimage trade. While Najdi religious clerics imposed Wahhabism upon their Hijazi brethren, they distrust the sincerity of the conversion. Many Hijazis prefer a more liberal approach to religion. As a result, Saudi history is punctuated by occasional purges of Hijazi elites from positions of influence.

Yamani details the interactions of elite Hijazi families as a window into the survival of Hijazi identity. The meat of her study is anthropological. By examining everything from customs of birth, marriage, death, and life events in between, Yamani constructs a convincing argument that the Saudis' 80-year effort to eradicate Hijazi culture and society has failed. Hijazi retain a strong identity, often catalyzed by Riyadh's "Saudification" policies.

So where goes Hijaz? Yamani suggests that it will play an intermediary role between the Saudi orthodoxy to which it remains economically connected and the more cosmopolitan Arab world with which it identifies culturally. With an identity too strong for Riyadh to eradicate, Hijaz might be a moderating influence within the Saudi state. At the very least, a better understanding of Saudi regionalism bypasses the old argument that Western governments should support the Saudi royal family only because the Ikhwan are worse. That might be true, but bolstering relations with regional elites might provide a way to withdrawal some support from the Saudi royal family without necessarily empowering even more Islamist elements.

By Michael Rubin
(...) ... Read more

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    Despite the tragic reality of the continuing Israeli-Arab conflict and deep-rooted beliefs that the chasm between Israeli Jews and Israeli Arabs is unbridgeable, this book affirms the bonds between the two communities. Rachel Feldhay Brenner demonstrates that the literatures of both ethnic groups defy the ideologies that have obstructed dialogue between the two peoples.
    Brenner argues that literary critics have ignored the variety and the dissent in the novels of both Arab and Jewish writers in Israel, giving them interpretations that embrace the politics of exclusion and conform with Zionist ideology. Brenner offers insightful new readings that compare fiction by Jewish writers Amos Oz, A.B. Yehoshua, David Grossman, and others with fiction written in Hebrew by such Arab-Israeli writers as Atallah Mansour, Emile Habiby, and Anton Shammas. This parallel analysis highlights the moral and psychological dilemmas faced by both the Jewish victors and the Arab vanquished, and Brenner suggests that the hope for release from the historical trauma lies—on both sides—in reaching an understanding with and of the adversary.
    Drawing upon the theories of Walter Benjamin, Jacques Lacan, Sigmund Freud, Emanuel Levinas, and others, Inextricably Bonded is an innovative and illuminating examination of literary dissent from dominant ideology.

Customer Reviews (1)

Deeply thought-provoking literary analysis of the literature of identity
One of the most striking aspects of "Inextricably Bonded's" many worthy accomplishments is Brenner's persuasive dismissal of the notion that the internal post-Zionist critique of Israel's writers and historians is truly a new ideological or even "subversive" development. She achieves this by paying close heed to many early articulations of disapproval of institutional Zionism's varied roles in dispossessing the indigenous Arabs of land and society (among them Yosef Eliahu Chelouche, a founder of Tel Aviv, and the philosophers Ahad Ha'Am and Martin Buber). In light of increasingly shrill debates over this term (Zionists of the right predictably label the 1990s generation of "post-Zionist" historians and cultural critics as Jewish self-haters or worse), Brenner sensibly declares that the Zionist movement always encompassed a tradition of intense self-interrogation and moral argument. She also masterfully analyzes the receptions of canonical works by generations of Israeli scholars as well as the wider public. But what really stands as most innovative in her approach are her elegant comparative studies of the fiction of three Arab-Israeli writers, Emile Habiby ("The Pessoptimist"), Atallah Mansour ("In a New Light"), and Anton Shammas ("Arabesques") all of whom have written in Hebrew or published their works for Israeli readers in translation, alongside canonical works of several Israeli Jewish writers, including David Grossman, Amos Oz, and A.B. Yehoshua-all familiar writers in Europe and North America.

Throughout, Brenner produces highly original readings, masterfully demonstrating the peculiarly entwined nature of the realms of psychology and politics in the Israeli forum of art and politics. Subsequently, the author understands Israeli identity as having defined itself against a repressed Jewish Other, or history, as well as through its discriminatory practices vis-à-vis external and internal Arabs. As counter-narrative, Brenner cogently argues, the cumulative impact of the writings of Arabs and Jews in Israel, in spite of their disparate sociopolitical perspectives, effectively "restores the visibility of the Arabs in the `empty' land and calls into question the unequivocal Zionist claim to the land...by contrast, the story of the suffering that the triumphant Jews inflicted on the defenseless, defeated Arab population invokes the history of Jewish persecution and victimization in the Diaspora. Against the doctrine of exclusion, the literary representations reassert in the Israeli consciousness the denied histories of the Palestinian Arab and the Diaspora Jew."

Though Brenner always adds unprecedented insight to the broad ethical and political questions raised by the presence of the Other, a fascinating secondary issue, that of the peculiar nature of canon-formation often surfaces as a crucial dynamic. For instance, many readers (aware that Rushdie, Kundera, Solzhenitsyn, and others achieved their international fame as dissident writers at the cost of total repudiation at home), will be struck by the fact that Yehoshua, Oz, and Grossman, while deviating sharply from accepted political lines and cultural myths, nevertheless "gained canonical legitimacy from the cultural establishment that was founded upon the ideological orientation they defied." Without straying from her primary focus, Brenner skillfully addresses the ways that writers themselves (as well as their most sympathetic critics) often employ rhetorical strategies of a shared national identity to mitigate the effects of their radical writings in otherwise undermining the most precious myths of the Zionist revolution. Brenner raises uncomfortable questions about whether the literary work's dissenting messages about justice and displacement, once its author achieves canonical status, is ultimately neutered of its political potency.

Her answers are at times partial and at best uneasy but always thought-provoking. A further reason that this study will prove so eminently useful for scholars and teachers alike is that nearly all of the works discussed are readily available in English translation. "Inextricably Bonded" strongly warrants our appreciation and attention as one of the most innovative studies of modern Hebrew literary criticism, especially for its forceful demonstration that the identity politics of both Israeli Arab and Israeli Jewish writers together produce a dynamically "bi-ethnic" rather than a narrowly "national" body of literature. What Brenner so brilliantly reveals throughout this adroit analysis is that over the years the fraught realm of Arab and Israeli identity politics has provided art with a highly charged source of imaginative inspiration. Most importantly, literature clearly does matter in the "real world," for as she comes to affirm, however fragile the hope: "The readiness to tell one's story and to listen to the story of the other signifies mutual recognition, which alleviates fear. Attention to the story of the other signals the ability to transform the knot of violence into a dialogic interaction." To Brenner's lasting credit, the intertwined identities and destinies eloquently addressed in "Inextricably Bonded" go a very long way toward powerfully affirming the moral urgency of that claim.
... Read more

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This extremely timely and helpful ready reference will familiarize all students and readers with the Gulf region and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Dubai, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Yemen, and Qatar. These states are bound by the desert culture, the Gulf, new oil economy, and Islam, to name some commonalities. Most Americans know something about the region, such as oases, dates, camels, oil, Bedouin tribes, and the legends of Lawrence of Arabia to Osama bin Laden. Islamic concepts and practices are still unfamiliar. On one extreme, Saudi Arabia, the cradle of Islam, has been largely closed off to Western tourists. On the other extreme, Dubai courts tourist dollars as it constructs modern architectural showcases. This is the first A-Z encyclopedia to focus on the Gulf, illuminating the land, people, religion, culture and traditions, institutions, economy, and much more for general readers. The more than 200 essay entries have a current focus with historical context as necessary.

The breadth of coverage means that this resource will be of use for a wide range of researchers and browsers. Besides individual entries on each state, major cities and regions are also profiled. The natural environment and human adaptation to it receives significant space. Islamic customs and rules and various interpretations are clearly explained. Essays on key public figures, institutions, major events, politics, and state structures and more also make this the first-choice resource for accurate information. Further reading accompanies per most entries. The contributors have mined sources often not available in English. A chronology, selected bibliography, and photos complement the text.

Product Description
Current troubles in the middle east have focused much international attention on Saudi Arabia. However, little has been published in English on the background to its culture and its roots in the First Saudi State that arose in 18th-century Najd (central Arabia).The Islamic reform movement that imbued it with its sense of mission, and the life and thought of its proponent Shaikh Muhammad b. 'Abd al- Wahhab (1703/4-1792), have been similarly neglected. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Multi-layered approach to a complicated subject
The book's premise is that there are many views on the Wahhabi movement, and that in a comparative manner, the reader may find that there are many conflicting accounts as there are opinions on the subject. Being such a specific group, it tends to be more scholarly and not an entry level tome such as Natana Delong-Bas' "The Wahhabi Movement." The prospective reader is cautioned about some of the biases present in the book which must be taken into account if working on any sort of scholarly project. ... Read more

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This important regional study provides historical research materials on the Hijaz province before its incorporation into the modern Saudi Kingdom. This work is therefore an essential complement to our companion works on Saudi and Hashimite history. Records of the Hijaz addresses aspects of Ottoman rule, Turkish-Arab relations, administration under Egyptian occupation, and power struggles within the ruling regime. Political, commercial, regional and tribal affairs are all covered and there is extensive material on the main cities of Jeddah, Yenbo, Mecca and Medina. ... Read more

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The life of Usâmah ibn-Munqidh epitomized the height of Arab civilization as it flourished in the period of the early Crusades. His memoirs present an uncommon non-European perspective and understanding of the military and cultural contact between East and West, Muslim and Christian. His writing is remarkable for its narrative clarity, its humanity, and its wealth of perceptive details. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Interesting read
Usamah Ibn-Munqidh's life was long and spanned a very interesting period of history.
Perhaps the most peculiar thing about this book is how easily it relates to what is going on in that same region of the world today.
Though the machinery for and means of waging war have seen great developments in the many years that have passed since these words were first written the political, tribal and religious alliances and aspects of the powers involved haven't changed all that much.

Full of little gems
A great read as well as a solid historical source for the period.

What i really enjoyed about this source where the unsual, little storie's scattered throughout it's pages. Beautifuly described little detail's that help the reader get a more colourful picture of the Usamah's times.

For instance there is a description of a dual between a Mounted Frankish Knight and a Mounted Muslim Cavalier. The story recite's how Usamah saw them both kill each other on their first charge, but how their warhorse's continued to fight for a long time after.

Unlike many other Chronicler's of the time, Usamah is relativley unbiased. He recognise's the Franks valour in battle, the Christian's piety (saying that he has never seen a Frankish Christian genuinely convert to Islam).

It is also a Medevial travel diary, documenting Usamas extensive travels.

It is full of the usual curse's and insults everytime the Christians or Jews name's are mentioned, like all the Medieval Islamic Chronicles. However, if you can see beyond the propogandist protocol of the day, you will be entertained by Usamahs amusing antidotes and tales.

A must for anyone intrested in either Islamic or Crusader history.

My only reservation from giving this book five stars was that i became slightly bored torwards the end, when the book is describing Usamah's many hunting exploits. I sometimes felt that had Usamah killed as many human foes as he had Lions, the Franks would of been expelled from Jerusalem far earlier than they actually where!!!!!

An eye opener on medieval life and a delightful read�
Usamah calls his book "Kitab al-Itibar" or "The Book of Instructive Example."True to its title, there is much to learn from this book, but what I found very interesting were perhaps things other than what Usamah wanted us to learn.For example, it was interesting to note the Arab perception of Franks, the relationship between Arabs and Franks during the first of two centuries of crusades on the Eastern Mediterranean, and aspects of the life of a prince and some commoners as well.The stories about hunts are numerous and tend to get boring, but they tell us of a rich fauna that is now largely extinct (lions, leopards, etc.).Usamah's talk of old age provides a sobering philosophical view of life.

What an excellent job by Philip Hitti who translated the manuscript from Arabic!Considering that the manuscript was lacking in things such diacritical marks (dots on Arabic letters), punctuation, etc. it is truly an amazing that he was able to pull this book together in the manner its stands.Thanks to Philip Hitti we can enjoy Usamah's book: it is truly a delightful read!

The best book i ever read
Unlike any other history book, this is a first hand account, day to day life of an Arab Syrian prince in the time of the crusades;He talks about his advantures, feelings and thoughts, it's just like going back in time almost 1000 years.If you like history and especially the crusades, this book is a must.I go back and read this book every once in a while, it's entertaining and informative.

A Rare View of the Crusades through Non-Western Eyes
We in the Western world all too rarely take the time to perceive and understand our modern society through anything other than Western eyes.So it is as well with that wondrously tragic period of our history known as the Crusades.While there are many contemperary histories of this era incorporating Western eye-witness accounts, there are but few with the perspectives of the invaded Orientals (i.e. Arabs, etc.).So the uniqueness of an account written by a period-contemporary 'Arab-Syrian Gentleman' will not be lost on the reader. "The Memoirs" are essentially just that:an autobiography of a twelfth-century Arab Muslim and the experiences of his long and eventful life. From his earliest memories in Syria before the First Crusade to his twilight days in Egypt and Damascus, Munqidh shares his vast knowledge with the reader, imparting as well his personal, ingrained biases.It is this latter which assists the reader in understanding the mind of the Crusading-era Muslim, even now oft-considered the enemy of Western "Christendom".Indeed, some scholars argue that the key to understanding the Middle Easterner's distrustful eye to the West lies in the very heart of the Crusades.Munqidh writes in the learned style one might expect of the educated nobility of his period, and though exquisitely detailed, he is neither long-winded nor boring.So whether the avid scholar or simply the interested amateur, "The Memoirs of Usamah Ibn-Munqidh" is truly a worthy read ... Read more

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This digital document is an article from APS Diplomat Redrawing the Islamic Map, published by Pam Stein/Input Solutions on May 3, 2004. The length of the article is 761 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: BAHRAIN - The Third Saudi Dynasty.
Publication: APS Diplomat Redrawing the Islamic Map (Newsletter)
Date: May 3, 2004
Publisher: Pam Stein/Input Solutions
Volume: 47Issue: 5

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

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The Tihamah plain extends some 500km down the western coast of modern Yemen and about 100km along its southern coast. This publication presents the first long-term culture-history of the Tihamah, through the exploration of socio-economic, cultural and political developments and of the region's relation to the rest of South West Arabia to its east, and to the Horn of Africa lying to its west, across the Red Sea. ... Read more

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The most exquisite memories of the Ottoman history are brought back to life with an album of photographs from the Yildiz Collection. In the 1880s upon an order of Sultan Abdlhamid II, Mecca and Medina, the two sanctuaries of Islam, were photographed and catalogued, together with thousands of other frames that portrayed the Ottoman lands. There are over 80 photographs in the album showing us what these blessed cities looked like in the 19th century and what they have lost over the course of time. ... Read more

Product Description
Seven Pillars of Wisdom is the monumental work that assured T.E. Lawrence's place in history as "Lawrence of Arabia." Not only a consummate military history, but also a colorful epic and a lyrical exploration of the mind of a great man, this is one of the indisputable classics of 20th century English literature. Line drawings throughout.Amazon.com Review
This is the exciting and highly literate story of the realLawrence of Arabia, as written by Lawrence himself, who helped unifyArab factions against the occupying Turkish army, circa World WarI. Lawrence has a novelist's eye for detail, a poet's command of thelanguage, an adventurer's heart, a soldier's great story, and hismemory and intellect are at least as good as all those. Lawrencedescribes the famous guerrilla raids, and train bombings you know fromthe movie, but also tells of the Arab people and politics with greatpenetration. Moreover, he is witty, always aware of the ethicaltightrope that the English walked in the Middle East and alwayswilling to include himself in his own withering insight. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (66)

The Illiad revisited?

I have wanted to read this book for some time, especially for what light it might shed on the Middle East.It is fascinating and very different to what I expected. I have seen the Peter O'Toole movie and was expecting a tortured soul, Lions led by Donkeys, perfidious Albion, sadistic Turks and so on.
The firstsurprise is that the title comes, not from Arabic Folklore, but from an unpublished novel that Lawrence wrote while he was in university, and has almost no bearing on the text.The story begins in the middle of a British-encouraged Arab revolt against the Ottoman Empire, in the middle of the first World War (the Germans reintroduced Lenin to the Russian Empire for a similar reason). Very little of the context of the revolt is given in the text.Similarly the story ends with the successful occupation of Damascus, seen as the culmination of the revolt, but there is no description of the political aftermath - the creation of various Arab states - Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Saudia Arabia etc.
There are two main sections to the book, the fight in the desert (Hajaz) the fight in Palestine/Jordan.
The first is largely made up of desert treks, described in beautiful detail, to attack the Turkish rail supply network. Lawrence is clearly taken with the landscape - each type of rock and terrain are described in colour, texture; the deprivation is palpable as the Arabs negotiate the landscape.He truly loves the land. I was surprised to find that he doesn't seem, particularly, to love the tribal people.Indeed throughout the book he is quite remote; he describes the battles as if he is barely present; he kills and is put in danger, with a curious absence. His reaction to killing one of his men, because the man has killed a colleague, is described with the view that if he, Lawrence, didn't kill him then whoever did would be subject to a blood feud, whereas Lawrence, as both a leader and a guest,was untouchable.
The second part, is a description of actions taken in conjunction with the British invasion of Palestine from Egypt.Lawrence makes clear that the Arab portion of this is to skirmish, disrupt and tie down Turkish forces, rather than to achieve victory outright. He is enormously complementary of Allenby the British General, and this was a complete surprise to me. Lawrence is also very much taken with flying and careening around in armoured cars in the latter part of the campaign.
This is not to say that he was unaware of the likely outcome of British and French Manipulation of the Arab lands, indeed the events described in this book were happening as the Balfour declaration (actually a vaguely worded letter) was issued. However, apart from self-loathing as the representative of a potentially double crossing great power, Lawrence appears to play no part in the diplomatic part of the story.He is none the less aware of the politics of the Ottomans - hoping to encourage those in Istambul who want a new start - with a negotiation with the Arabs, and a concentration on new beginnings in Anatolia.
Overall I was hugely impressed with the descriptive part of the book, less-so of its views of the diplomatic outcome. One thing that struck me was the amorphous nature of the Middle East at the time, Because all the lands were subject to the Ottoman empire, there was no clear distinct nationalisms. There were many distinctions among tribes, and between tribes and settled people, but almost no awareness of Syrians versus Iraqis etc.

Do not order this edition by BN Publishing!
This particular printing is very disappointing because it's so full of misprints that it becomes difficult to read.What's more disappointing is that you soon realize that this entire book was scanned from some other copy, and then printed without anyone taking the time to look at it, much less proof read it.Do not order this edition by BN Publishing!

Don't be fooled by the nice cover.Get yourself a copy from another publisher!

An Inadvertant Degree in Arab Culture and Tactical Warfare
This book, along with Gertrude Bell's "The Desert and the Sown," should be required reading for all troops and leaders involved with any Arab countries. But for the rest of us, just the curious, the book exposes us to Arab tribal differences and cultural practices, tactical warfare during the early 20th century, wonderful geographic descriptions, general social observations, WWI history, lessons about being flexible when things are not like they are at home, wherever that may be, and so much more.
My only disappointment with the book has nothing to do with Lawrence's contributions: the book size is a bit cumbersome, and I find frequent typos - sentences missing periods, misspellings, and such - all a bit distracting. Overall, though, I'm fascinated and excited to read about Lawrence's experiences and I appreciate his blunt, honest writing approach, making him so very human and accessible. This is a great read!

seven pillars of wisdom
Product arrived on time,in mint condition. I especially liked the books large readable size. As I child I saw "Lawrence of Arabia" and enjoyed the action and cinematic action of the film. Now I enjoyed the book for its philosophy and poetic literary style.It is especially relevant today to understand the Eastern Mindset in a word where our relations with the Middle East are pivotal.

The greatest book I have ever read.
Reading this book will take you many places, though for the most part it all takes place in the desert.In just a few sentences Lawrence describes the migrations of tribes from the desert to the cities and back to the deserts until they are once again strong enough to conquer the cities and send their rivals back into the desert.This cycle has been going on for thousands of years.Lawrence's insights into the life and traditions of the Bedouin makes this the book to read if you want to understand the Arab.It will also teach you a lot about the mind and traditions of the West, which for the most part Lawrence found ridiculous.The immense attention to details in this book makes it easier to keep track of what's going on, but a lot is going on, almost too much.It is a detailed account of a war and a lot of it reads like an intelligence report.At one point Lawrence leads a raiding party carrying unstable plastic explosives on camels and their expert has a bad heart.They manage to blow up the train full of enemy troops, but Lawrence writes the victory as more a personal failure because he was afraid.He was probably one of the greatest heroes of our times, but he was not great in his own eyes.The height of his personal standards were unreachable by himself, and probably any other living human.That a man could dare so much, and still it was not enough is a big part of what this book was all about. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Fine book, lousy edition
(This review pertains only to the BN Publishing company's hardcover edition of T.E. Lawrence's "Seven Pillars of Wisdom.")

I bought this edition of "Seven Pillars of Wisdom" because it was the only hardcover version available at the time. I'm a big advocate of hardcover books, but avoid this one. I get the sense that the publishers simply took an old copy of the book, scanned it, converted the scan into a basic word processing document, and published it. If that is what happened, they never bothered to read through their generated document to check for basic typographical errors.

For example, on page 488 the text reads: "They circled off We, watching their line of/light, noticed a great cloud of apparent dust added to the slow smoke rising from the ruined yard at Mafrak station." In that sentence, it appears that a period has been omitted, a slash has been inserted, and a capital S has been rendered in lower case. That one is easy enough that I can work out what the text is supposed to say. But there are errors of this sort on almost every single page, and Lawrence employs a difficult writing style as it is. These excessive typographical errors significantly detract from the readability of the book.

A second serious problem-- there is not a single map in this book, though Lawrence did include a map in earlier editions. There are points of the story where it is necessary to know where things are situated in order to appreciate what is going on. It got to the point where I found and downloaded some maps from the internet, and taped them inside the covers of my book. I refrenced these maps constantly. The publishers did include some photographs in the back matter, but they were either too cheap or too lazy to include a map.

T.E. Lawrence has written a book that is worth reading (coming from me, that's pretty high praise), but avoid thie error-ridden fly-by-night edition. ... Read more

Product Description
With its awe-inspiring landmarks, its dense woodlands, and the delightful coolness of its mountain-tops, the region of Asir stands in sharp contrast to the usual patterns of Saudi Arabian landscape. "This could have been the site of the Garden of Eden," wrote St. John Philby in the 1930s, and as this extraordinary book of photographs demonstrates, the claim still holds true today.

The story of the author's two journeys around the Asir region is told through the architecture, frescoes and lifestyles of the people. Granted royal approval for his second project, Thierry Mauger has been able to gain access to previously unseen interiors and to win the trust of the people. In the process, he reveals how the art of the Asir region, the handpainted, brightly colored interior decoration, the painted façades, the symbolism of the architecture, and the unique landscape form a complex code which provides valuable insights into understanding this little-known culture.

In the midst of Westernizing trends, the author demonstrates the strong traditional forces which imbue the art and architecture of Asir today. New architecture is taking up forms and ornamentation from traditional regional styles, and as the author shows, the painted interiors by Asir women resonate with the traditions of magic and religion, blended with new images drawn from the contemporary culture.
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Customer Reviews (1)

Tour from your armchair
This book is full of vivid and interesting pictures, accompanied by informative text. Although it cannot substitute for experiencing Arabia in person, it is a rich and satisfying substitute. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Image of Arabia
Now I have this book lying around at home with my gradnfathers large collection of fascinating books...old and new. I recently opened it up and was amazed at how beautifully Jedda was described and portraied. See I livein Jedda...seeing how the editors put together the book so truthfully, Ithought 'finally a book that shows a city/country as it's true self'. Irecommend this book to anyone who wants to look into Arabian life. ... Read more

Product Description
By Noor Ali RashidThe UAE - Visions of Change completes the trilogy of Noor Ali Rashid's 'Royal Collection'. It comprises a remarkable collection of historical pictures, in black and white, sepia and colour - highlighting the phenomenal transformation experienced throughout the UAE over the past 40 years. From the time of British presence in the Trucial States, to the fast-changing urban landscapes, for instance of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, no-one can boast so impressive a pictorial diary - chronicling the enormous contrasts between then and now - as Noor Ali. He presents on one hand, a country renowned for its extended hospitality and enduring simplicity, while on the other, its adjustment to the sudden influences of the 20th century, such as the dramatic impact of oil, air travel and industrial enterprise. From ambassadors to dignitaries and foreign officials, the newly formed UAE drew much attention from all around the world, gaining global admiration for its unprecedented achievements in so few years. The strong leadership of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as President of the UAE and the intuitive efforts of each of the emirates' Rulers is poignantly illustrated in this nostalgic album , for all to enjoy. Language: Englishbr> ISBN: 1860630170144 pages, hardback ... Read more