Saudi Arabia - A Modern History

A major new history of Saudi Arabia, from its eighteenth-century origins to the present daySaudi Arabia is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, a major player on the international stage and the site of Islam's two holiest cities. It is also one of the world's only absolute monarchies. How did Saudi Arabia get to where it is today?In this comprehensive account, David Commins narrates the full history of Saudi Arabia from oasis emirate to present-day attempts to leap to a post-petroleum economy. Moving through the ages, Commins traces how the Saud dynasty's reliance on sectarianism, foreign expertise, and petroleum to stabilize power has unintentionally spawned secular and religious movements seeking accountability and justice. He incorporates the experiences of activists, women, religious minorities, Bedouin, and expatriate workers as the country transformed from subsistence agrarian life to urban consumer society.This is a perceptive portrait of Saudi Arabia's complex and evolving story-and a country that is all too easily misunderstood.

Product details

• Authors: David Commins
• Publisher: Yale University Press Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 01.04.2025
• EAN: 9780300258059
• ISBN: 978-0-300-25805-9
• No. of pages: 384
• Subjects: Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; 20th Century, HISTORY / Modern / 21st Century, 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000, POLITICAL SCIENCE / World / Middle Eastern, 21st Century, Middle East, HISTORY / Middle East / Arabian Peninsula, 21st century history: from c 2000 -, General & world history, 20th century, c 1900 to c 1999, Politics & government, 21st century, c 2000 to c 2100, Politics and government, Middle Eastern history, Arabian Peninsula, General and world history, HISTORY / Modern / 20th Century / General