On November 20, 1979, hundreds of Islamist militants led by Saudi preacher Juhayman al-Otaybi stormed and seized the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Islam’s holiest site, trapping tens of thousands of worshippers inside. The siege lasted two weeks and resulted in hundreds of deaths, in an event that was largely ignored by the global media at the time. Trofimov draws on newly declassified documents and…
Peter Mansfield's book, The New Arabians, examines the historical, cultural, religious, and social changes experienced by the people of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Mansfield highlights how the Gulf Arab states were previously overlooked by the West until the discovery of vast oil reserves in the region. The 1973 oil embargo brought global attention to the…
The Kingdom is a vivid historical and sociopolitical portrait of Saudi Arabia, exploring the extraordinary rise and consolidation of the Al Saud family. Lacey traces how a once-nomadic clan transformed itself into a powerful monarchy, deeply rooted in Islamic tradition yet shaped by modern forces. Through detailed narrative, he examines the country’s religious foundations, tribal structures, …
The book provides a revealing account of the emergence and consolidation of the Saudi royal family as one of the most influential dynasties in the Middle East. It traces the historical roots of the House of Saud, their alliance with Wahhabi religious leaders, and their rise to power in the Arabian Peninsula. Through political analysis and investigative reporting, the book examines how the famil…
This book provides a comprehensive historical and cultural portrait of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It explores the geography, cities, and tribal structure of the country, and examines the lives of its people from nomadic Bedouins to modern urban dwellers. The authors trace the rise of the House of Saud, detailing how the kingdom was founded and how key figures like Ibn Saud shaped its identity…
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by William Facey provides a concise and informative overview of the historical, cultural, and geographical foundations of Saudi Arabia. The book traces the development of the Arabian Peninsula from its early tribal society to the rise of the Saudi state, emphasizing the role of Islam, the unification under King Abdulaziz, and the transformative impact of oil discover…
The development of Japan’s foreign policy and military strategy from the late nineteenth to the early twentieth century. Drawing on official documents and key political decisions, Takeuchi explains how Japan built its military power, expanded its influence in East Asia, and shaped diplomatic strategies closely tied to its imperial ambitions. The book highlights the interaction between the mil…
The Mongol army led by Genghis Khan subjugated more lands and people in twenty-five years than the Romans did in four hundred. In nearly every country the Mongols conquered, they brought an unprecedented rise in cultural communication, expanded trade, and a blossoming of civilization. Vastly more progressive than his European or Asian counterparts, Genghis Khan abolished torture, granted unive…
Dirʿiyyah and the First Saudi State by William Facey provides a concise historical examination of the rise of Dirʿiyyah as the birthplace of the First Saudi State in the 18th century. The book traces the alliance between Muhammad ibn Saud and the religious reformer Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, which laid the ideological and political foundations for the emerging state. Facey highlights Dirʿiy…
PREFACE TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 BIRTH OF THE TURKISH REPUBLIC Towards the National geal. New Constitutional Order Abuse of Freedom CHAPTER 2 PERIODS OF ABOVE PARTY GOVERNMENTS Democracy, A SYSTEM OF VIRTUES Confumions Have No End in Politics OTHER PROBLEMS OUTSTANDING IN THE PRESENT PERIO