Vision or Mirage: Saudi Arabia at the Crossroads

Détails de Vision or Mirage: Saudi Arabia at the Crossroads

I've learned an enormous amount about the history of Saudi Arabia from Vision or Mirage; I've underlined passages on every few pages. Rundell's obviously deep knowledge of Saudi Arabia is apparent throughout, but he writes with a light touch that makes it highly readable and frequently enlivens his prose with an interesting detail that might not be found in more academic histories of the country. He does a remarkable job of explaining the complexities of the 21st century kingdom through its fascinating and sometimes brutal past. For anyone trying to understand just how much Mohammed bin Salman and his father have upended the country -- and the whole region -- this is required reading.