book data
34 ratings, 3.76 average rating, 10 reviews
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published
October 2002
by W. W. Norton & Company
binding
Paperback, 480 pages
isbn
0393324176
(isbn13: 9780393324174)
description
Sandra Mackey lived in Saudi Arabia for four years, and as far as the authorities knew, she was simply the wife of an American doctor. But she saw thi...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 47)
Read in August, 2004
An excellent examination of the role of Saudi Arabia in the modern world as well as illuminating the Saudi Arabian culture and psyche this book deals with the struggle between a quest for modernization and the conflicts it creates with the religious ideals of the Kingdom. It also highlights the attitude of other Arab nations towards Saudi Arabia.
I found myself having lots of head nodding moments as I read this book. The author lived there shortly after the period when my family and I returne...more
I found myself having lots of head nodding moments as I read this book. The author lived there shortly after the period when my family and I returne...more
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Read in April, 2008
Lopsided depiction of life in the late 70's/early 80's Saudi Arabia written by an American woman based in Saudi for a few years. Includes many historical lessons on aspects of Saudi life, such as the influence of and history of Islam, politics, Wahabism, etc but you can't help being a bit skeptical given her profound American bias. For example, early on in the book, she says that the Saudi's hadn't yet been "forced to" learn English while mentioning that no one in her group had yet 'pi...more
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Has a copy to sell/swap
My main motivation in reading this is to better understand the country I lived in for the majority of my childhood, but to also refresh my memory on my dad's behalf as he is currently working over there.
So far, it's been incredibly accurate and also has cleared up some of my childhood memories, where as a child I did not understand the levels of secretiveness, desire to maintain tradition, and adherence to religion this country is desperately pursuing. I am happy that the author's tone is no...more
So far, it's been incredibly accurate and also has cleared up some of my childhood memories, where as a child I did not understand the levels of secretiveness, desire to maintain tradition, and adherence to religion this country is desperately pursuing. I am happy that the author's tone is no...more
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Read in March, 2008
I learned that knowing a lot about Palestine, Israel, and the area known as Bilad al-Sham doesn't mean that you know anything at all about Saudi Arabia. I chose this book specifically to learn more about Arabia and Wahhabiism, and I did both, very handily. The book is not an in-depth discussion of Wahhabiism, but it does touch on the subject, and the author's discussion of Islam and a number of other aspects of Saudi culture that I didn't understand specifically in the Saudi context was very u...more
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Read in July, 2008
A very intriguing sociocultural study of Saudi Arabia, from an objective but not opinion-free perspective. The writing gets a little dense around the discussion of natural resources and commodities trading, but it's a tough topic. Otherwise, the writing is excellent and engaging. This book, while a little old, is excellent preparation for understanding current political interactions between Saudi Arabia and the West.
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Read in January, 2007
Excellent description of life inside Saudi Arabia in 70s and 80s by undercover female journalist. Insightful on internal politics of Saudi Arabia, including tribes, branches of the military, royal family, Westerners, and Islamic scholars. Very interesting on lifestyle, especially attitudes towards sex, women, foreigners, social class, and religion.
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Read in January, 2004
A great introduction to the medieval kingdom that is Saudi Arabia. Much of the notes and articles from which it was drawn were written during the oil booms in the 1970s. Best is Mackays's account of a public beheading and the unpredictable energy that builds up in the crowd as the execution is conducted.
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Accounts of life inside closed societies like prisons, religious cults/sects and dictatorships are fascinating to me, and hey, Saudi Arabia's a two-fer! A good look at day-to-day life inside the kingdom and the appalling social conditions within.
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I read the original version back in the 80's when it first came out and we were living in "The Kingdom". She gets it right on every aspect. An excellent look at the inner workings of "the magic kingdom".
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Read in March, 2008
One woman's account of being in Saudi Arabia during the boom years in 1970. At that time the country had to build an infrastructure which required the expertise of Western companies.
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