Complete Idiot's Guide to Saudi Arabia - Softcover

It is a land of mystery and intrigue, with a history almost as old as civilization itself. It also sits squarely on 25 percent of the world's oil reserves, which has made this once tribal and backward country into one of the world's most wealthy and powerful players on the global scene in the second half of the 20th century. Saudi Arabia. Friend or foe to the United States? Ally in the war on terror, or a major backer of terrorism? Since we have learned that 15 of the 19 9/11 hijackers were Saudi citizens (indeed, Osama Bin Laden is of Saudi descent, and the Bin Laden family is very prominent in Saudi business), Saudi Arabia has been thrust into the international limelight, and cracks in its relationship with the United States-an uneasy alliance even in the best of times-are growing almost daily. The Complete Idiot's Guide (R) to Understanding Saudi Arabia will present the most detailed and comprehensive overview to date of this complex and mysterious Middle Eastern country. The book will detail Arabia's early history, the rise of the House of Saud; how Saudi Arabia was one of the world's poorest countries until one fateful day in 1938 when some black gold bubbled up out of the sand and changed the course of world events forever. The book explores the rise of Islamic fundamentalism and covers in detail the vital statistics, culture, and day-to-day life of being a Saudi Arabian. The Saudi connection to 9/11 and its aftermath will also be covered in great detail, as will the country's future-will the House of Saud fall to religious extremism, or will it persevere? All of these issues and much more will be included into what will be the most accurate and up-to-date book on the subject.

Colin Wells has written extensively on Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. His published works include Peoples of the World: The Middle East and North Africa (Gale, 1992), Profiles in World History (Gale Research, 1996). He has contributed hundred of entries on Middle Eastern studies for a number of reference and research works for publisher Moss & Wilson. He has just finished a book on Middle Eastern culture, politics, and history.