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From Rags to Riches: The Story of Abu Dhabi
Alternative cover edition of ISBN 1900404001 / 9781900404006
A vivid eye-witness account of the total transformation of a Bedouin society into a country with the world's highest per capita income within only 30 years. The author speaks with great frankness about his own life and career and about the role of the British in his country. Born in 1948, in Abu Dhabi, Mohammed Al Fahim knew dreadful poverty for years before fabulous oil wealth transformed his country forever. He grew up in the ruler's palace, barefoot like his playmates, now senior figures in the United Arab Emirates. Mohammed skilfully weaves the story of his own successful business career with that of the development of Abu Dhabi to which he himself has made a significant contribution.
A vivid eye-witness account of the total transformation of a Bedouin society into a country with the world's highest per capita income within only 30 years. The author speaks with great frankness about his own life and career and about the role of the British in his country. Born in 1948, in Abu Dhabi, Mohammed Al Fahim knew dreadful poverty for years before fabulous oil wealth transformed his country forever. He grew up in the ruler's palace, barefoot like his playmates, now senior figures in the United Arab Emirates. Mohammed skilfully weaves the story of his own successful business career with that of the development of Abu Dhabi to which he himself has made a significant contribution.
191 pages, Hardcover
First published June 9, 1995
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May 16, 2009There are very few books on Abu Dhabi, and thus this book is a valuable contribution. But then again, it is written by a friend of the crown prince, offering a mainstream perception of how modern Abu Dhabi has become within the past 50 years. In other words, it is an expanded version of, 'There were no working bathrooms in Abu Dhabi in 1960s, now we have most advanced technologies.' It is rather irrelevant to suggest if I liked it or not, perhaps I can conclude that it was anthropologically interesting.
September 21, 2014
Ever wondered how the Arabian Gulf countries were just 30-50 years ago? you can find the answers all in here, in this 108 pages book, very simple and direct to the point. I bought this book on my way back from Frankfurt to Bahrain through a stop over in Abu Dhabi airport, since I lost 2 books in the train in Germany I wanted to entertain my self before reaching Bahrain.
as a Bahraini I always knew life was difficult back then, specially before the first discovery of oil in Bahrain in the 30s, but after reading this book it helped me to understand even further more how life was difficult back then most specially for Abu Dhabians, fortunately Bahrain was somewhat the Brits favorite so there was always healthcare, business, roads, in general Bahrain was more developed back then compared to the countries next to it.
Imagine 2000 inhabitants back then in Abu Dhabi whereas now, 40 years later its over half a million.
Abu Dhabi is now considered as the riches city in the world. now there is a good reason to read this book.
as a Bahraini I always knew life was difficult back then, specially before the first discovery of oil in Bahrain in the 30s, but after reading this book it helped me to understand even further more how life was difficult back then most specially for Abu Dhabians, fortunately Bahrain was somewhat the Brits favorite so there was always healthcare, business, roads, in general Bahrain was more developed back then compared to the countries next to it.
Imagine 2000 inhabitants back then in Abu Dhabi whereas now, 40 years later its over half a million.
Abu Dhabi is now considered as the riches city in the world. now there is a good reason to read this book.
May 14, 2022
Well written, well documented book on the history of Abu Dhabi. It’s very important for the people of the emirates (especially of this generation) to read more about the Emirates through the lens of the people who were there before it’s formation (and after).
November 22, 2025
It’s always challenging to find good, detailed information about how Abu Dhabi, and the UAE in general, developed so quickly. That’s why this book was such an interesting read for me. Mohammed Al Fahim does a great job describing how Abu Dhabi transformed from a small, struggling town into a modern and developed city in just a few decades.
What makes the story even more compelling is the author’s personal connection. His father was a close friend of Sheikh Zayed, so the book gives a very intimate look at Sheikh Zayed’s leadership, vision, and all the incredible steps he took to unite the country and guide its development.
The author also shares interesting facts and the different entrepreneurial projects he and his family started, giving a clearer picture of what life looked like for an Emirati over the last decades.
Overall, it’s a fascinating, accessible read if you want to understand the history behind the UAE’s rapid rise.
What makes the story even more compelling is the author’s personal connection. His father was a close friend of Sheikh Zayed, so the book gives a very intimate look at Sheikh Zayed’s leadership, vision, and all the incredible steps he took to unite the country and guide its development.
The author also shares interesting facts and the different entrepreneurial projects he and his family started, giving a clearer picture of what life looked like for an Emirati over the last decades.
Overall, it’s a fascinating, accessible read if you want to understand the history behind the UAE’s rapid rise.
November 20, 2022
Pretty good rendering of what Abu Dhabi used to be and what it became until the 1990's (when this book was first published).
I just take the author's apotheosis of Sheikh Zayed with a grain of salt. Nobody can be that generous and perfect. Of course, when Al-Fahim wrote this, the Sheikh was still in power, so... it just seems too boot-licky.
I just take the author's apotheosis of Sheikh Zayed with a grain of salt. Nobody can be that generous and perfect. Of course, when Al-Fahim wrote this, the Sheikh was still in power, so... it just seems too boot-licky.
January 28, 2016
Upon arrival in the United Arab Emirates, especially Dubai and Abu Dhabi, one is overwhelmed by the scale, the opulence, and the sheer newness of almost everything. Dubai is the bustling commercial center, while the capital, Abu Dhabi, is still in full expansion. World famous museums (the Louvre, etc.), universities (the Sorbonne, NYU,..), and hospitals (the Cleveland Clinic among others) have opened branches here or are in the process of doing so. Meanwhile, the native Emirati population has become outnumbered (1 to 5, if I remember correctly) by expatriates from all over the world.
Planning to spend quite some time here this year, I went in search of background information at a local bookstore. There were the usual expat handbooks full of advice for newcomers. But the book I ended up buying, Mohammed Fahim's "From Rags to Riches," (available in 9 languages) promised to answer some of my deeper questions.
Subtitled "A Story of Abu Dhabi," this memoir, first published in 1995, does not purport to be a history book. Instead, the author sets out to narrate the story of his family and how he personally lived through the transformation of a desperately poor, tribal society into the oil-rich, hyper-modern nation of today.
Centering on Abu Dhabi, Fahim sketches the origins of its Sunni Muslim people who were forced out of a border area of Iran where they had settled, to eke out a meager living on what was then known as the Trucial Coast, an area supervised, if not outright colonized, by the British.
The Al Fahim family was, like many local folk, involved in pearl fishing, and his account of it will soon relieve you of any romantic notions you might harbor about this occupation. His father was one of the very few members of the family, and even the tribe, who became literate, and he passed on his love of learning to his children. In the late 1950s and early 60s, Fahim and his brother were among the first youngsters of the area sent to study in England, where they discovered countless wonders such as lawns, parks, and forests. The author came back with a determination to help bring his country into the present, at least on par with other Middle Eastern countries like Bahrain and Kuwait.
Oil was discovered relatively late in the Emirates, and the real boom did not happen here until the visionary leadership of Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan (a lifelong friend of Fahim's father) resulted in the formation of the UAE federation in 1971.
Sheikh Zayed, a larger-than-life figure, decided to share the nation's riches with the whole population. People who never had two coins to rub together suddenly became rich. This at times resulted in situations reminiscent of the sad fate of some big-time lottery winners.
There were plenty of ups and downs along the way, both before and after the discovery of oil, and the author does a wonderful job in taking the reader along on the respective journeys of his nation, his family, and himself. At times I felt I was absorbed in a novel.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and learned a lot from it. The author collaborated with Susan Macaulay to produce an eminently readable account, without, however, any literary or historical ambitions.
The book ends in 1995, which is already 21 years ago, and I would really love to read the story of the last twenty years as well, especially to find out how Abu Dhabi was able to ride out the worldwide banking and real estate crisis of 2008, and even succeeded in bailing out one of neighboring Dubai's expensive prestige projects, now known as the Burj Khalifa, after Abu Dhabi's present ruler, Sheikh Zayed's son Khalifa Bin Zayed al Nahyan.
Planning to spend quite some time here this year, I went in search of background information at a local bookstore. There were the usual expat handbooks full of advice for newcomers. But the book I ended up buying, Mohammed Fahim's "From Rags to Riches," (available in 9 languages) promised to answer some of my deeper questions.
Subtitled "A Story of Abu Dhabi," this memoir, first published in 1995, does not purport to be a history book. Instead, the author sets out to narrate the story of his family and how he personally lived through the transformation of a desperately poor, tribal society into the oil-rich, hyper-modern nation of today.
Centering on Abu Dhabi, Fahim sketches the origins of its Sunni Muslim people who were forced out of a border area of Iran where they had settled, to eke out a meager living on what was then known as the Trucial Coast, an area supervised, if not outright colonized, by the British.
The Al Fahim family was, like many local folk, involved in pearl fishing, and his account of it will soon relieve you of any romantic notions you might harbor about this occupation. His father was one of the very few members of the family, and even the tribe, who became literate, and he passed on his love of learning to his children. In the late 1950s and early 60s, Fahim and his brother were among the first youngsters of the area sent to study in England, where they discovered countless wonders such as lawns, parks, and forests. The author came back with a determination to help bring his country into the present, at least on par with other Middle Eastern countries like Bahrain and Kuwait.
Oil was discovered relatively late in the Emirates, and the real boom did not happen here until the visionary leadership of Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan (a lifelong friend of Fahim's father) resulted in the formation of the UAE federation in 1971.
Sheikh Zayed, a larger-than-life figure, decided to share the nation's riches with the whole population. People who never had two coins to rub together suddenly became rich. This at times resulted in situations reminiscent of the sad fate of some big-time lottery winners.
There were plenty of ups and downs along the way, both before and after the discovery of oil, and the author does a wonderful job in taking the reader along on the respective journeys of his nation, his family, and himself. At times I felt I was absorbed in a novel.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and learned a lot from it. The author collaborated with Susan Macaulay to produce an eminently readable account, without, however, any literary or historical ambitions.
The book ends in 1995, which is already 21 years ago, and I would really love to read the story of the last twenty years as well, especially to find out how Abu Dhabi was able to ride out the worldwide banking and real estate crisis of 2008, and even succeeded in bailing out one of neighboring Dubai's expensive prestige projects, now known as the Burj Khalifa, after Abu Dhabi's present ruler, Sheikh Zayed's son Khalifa Bin Zayed al Nahyan.
March 28, 2015
The title of this book, ”From Rags to Riches” couldnt be more befitted to account for the astonishing rise and creation of the tribal desert nation of UAE during the latter part of the 20th century from a poor pearl diving sheikhdom to a modern rich nation. Not much documented history exists before 1960 within the UAE; to the extent that most locals born before that date can only guess their birth date, and the author wanted to bring about some written piece to show the transformation of his native city through his eyes. Being the author a family friend of Sheikh Zayed, the founding father of the UAE and its first president, the account is possibly a bit biased, however it is still an interesting piece describing how fast this nation was built.
Mohammed Al Fahim´s book is mainly the account of Abu Dhabi, and how this city rose from a settlement with no roads, no schools, no hospitals, and palm leaved huts in the beginning of 1960 into the megalopolis that it is today. The first hotel of the town was built in 1962 to accommodate the rising oil industry expats and the first hospital came about in 1967, not with the help of the British though(who controlled the “Trucial States” area for more than 170 years) as the author adamantly criticizes. Once that the oil was discovered in the 60´s the sheikhdom started slowly transforming in the beginning, and the important role of Sheikh Zayed in distributing and cascading the oil income to the inhabitants (to education, healthcare and infrastructure) is described in this book… as the author states, Abu Dhabi jumped directly from the 18th century to the 20th century. The inability of the people to handle money brought about challenges too, some of which are accounted for in this book… British withdrew from the Trucial States in 1968 after controlling the area for more than 170 years, and the nation of United Arab Emirates was formed in 1971 with Sheikh Zayed as the founding father and as the first president of the federation of the UAE comprising of 7 emirates. His initial efforts were geared towards agriculture and forestation, to minimize the negative effects of sand movement and desertification, followed by tourism, port building, banking, investments etc. and the impact of Sheikh Zayed´s brave decision (to show sympathy towards the “Arab brothers”) of oil embargo to the west in 1973 during the 4th Arab-Israeli war turned out to be a golden decision which skyrocketed oil price and made the UAE richer than ever.
This book´s new edition was published in 2007, and as we have seen over the past years, the UAE has continued its rise since then (despite the world´s financial crisis which obviously affected the nation and also its real estate market negatively). The owner of the world´s fourth largest oil reserves, UAE has impressively become a global transport hub (both maritime and aerial), luxury tourism destination, and a regional financial base. This book was an interesting read. By no means is it a literary piece, but it is an eye witness account of the transformation of this nation during some thirty years, and it is definitely astonishing.
Mohammed Al Fahim´s book is mainly the account of Abu Dhabi, and how this city rose from a settlement with no roads, no schools, no hospitals, and palm leaved huts in the beginning of 1960 into the megalopolis that it is today. The first hotel of the town was built in 1962 to accommodate the rising oil industry expats and the first hospital came about in 1967, not with the help of the British though(who controlled the “Trucial States” area for more than 170 years) as the author adamantly criticizes. Once that the oil was discovered in the 60´s the sheikhdom started slowly transforming in the beginning, and the important role of Sheikh Zayed in distributing and cascading the oil income to the inhabitants (to education, healthcare and infrastructure) is described in this book… as the author states, Abu Dhabi jumped directly from the 18th century to the 20th century. The inability of the people to handle money brought about challenges too, some of which are accounted for in this book… British withdrew from the Trucial States in 1968 after controlling the area for more than 170 years, and the nation of United Arab Emirates was formed in 1971 with Sheikh Zayed as the founding father and as the first president of the federation of the UAE comprising of 7 emirates. His initial efforts were geared towards agriculture and forestation, to minimize the negative effects of sand movement and desertification, followed by tourism, port building, banking, investments etc. and the impact of Sheikh Zayed´s brave decision (to show sympathy towards the “Arab brothers”) of oil embargo to the west in 1973 during the 4th Arab-Israeli war turned out to be a golden decision which skyrocketed oil price and made the UAE richer than ever.
This book´s new edition was published in 2007, and as we have seen over the past years, the UAE has continued its rise since then (despite the world´s financial crisis which obviously affected the nation and also its real estate market negatively). The owner of the world´s fourth largest oil reserves, UAE has impressively become a global transport hub (both maritime and aerial), luxury tourism destination, and a regional financial base. This book was an interesting read. By no means is it a literary piece, but it is an eye witness account of the transformation of this nation during some thirty years, and it is definitely astonishing.
April 19, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and as author of a book on the region, I am in a good position to judge. Today, the Emirate of Dubai has become an international tourist resort, indeed almost a household name, but it is Abu Dhabi that is more interesting from the development point of view. Mr al-Fahim traces his journey as a schoolboy in Abu Dhabi when to wash they had to bathe in the sea. On his first visit outside the country, he is astonished by Bahrain (which discovered oil several decades earlier). It was there he had his first ever shower and use of a towel which he sneaked into his suitcase as a souvenir. The citizens of the former Trucial State were incredibly poor. Abu Dhabi had no roads, hospital or electricity when he was growing up in the 1950s. The journey to al-Ain, now a garden city in inland Abu Dhabi, used to take his family 6-7 days by camel. Today one can drive there in less than two hours. The man who guided Abu Dhabi, indeed the Federation of the UAE into the 20th century, was HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, its first president. The book is dedicated to Zayed, a close friend of Mr al-Fahim's father. Rags to Riches-A Story of Abu Dhabi- does not hold back in discussing how all the crooked salesmen flew in, following the discovery of oil. Something I encountered when researching my book The Gulf States and Oman, published in 1977. Rags to Riches must definitely be read by anyone with an interest in, or who is planning a visit to the Gulf. By all means fly into Dubai, but do not miss Abu Dhabi which recently opened a Louvre Art and Civilisation Gallery on a 30 year lease agreement with the French government. My one criticism is that the edition I read, published by The London Centre of Arab Studies in 1995, seems not to have had a professional proof read, a huge oversight by the editor responsible.
July 21, 2016
A very informative book about the 20th century im Abu Dhabi, focusing especially on 1950s onward, the discovery of oil and the overnight progress and technology that arrived in the late 60s. Looking at Abu Dhabi I can't even begin to imagine how life was 60 years ago. The book does confirm what is observable as an outsider: technology invaded the country without the people conquering it, and it was imposed on them rather that a synergical process with evolution.
The book isn't a literary masterpiece, nor a scientific one, on the contrary it is highly subjective in a good and bad way. It showed the perspective of a privileged family, so there is no point of view of how bad it was for the majority of people. The book lacks a bit in fluidity, as the author goes back to the same point several times in different chapters, making the same point. Statistics are handed out starting with "probably", which is also due to the lack of true and reliable numbers.
However, overall, it deservers 4 stars for the intent and the fact that it is quite unique.
The one thing that I find slightly irritating is the author claiming several times that most of the world in the 60s had access to healthcare. I get he was shocked for life by his mother dyeing of miscarriage, but hey no .. South East Asia? Remote lands in China? Rural Africa? Same goes for education, ask Malala! There still are places were Madrassas are the only schools available and Quran is the only lesson taught.
The book isn't a literary masterpiece, nor a scientific one, on the contrary it is highly subjective in a good and bad way. It showed the perspective of a privileged family, so there is no point of view of how bad it was for the majority of people. The book lacks a bit in fluidity, as the author goes back to the same point several times in different chapters, making the same point. Statistics are handed out starting with "probably", which is also due to the lack of true and reliable numbers.
However, overall, it deservers 4 stars for the intent and the fact that it is quite unique.
The one thing that I find slightly irritating is the author claiming several times that most of the world in the 60s had access to healthcare. I get he was shocked for life by his mother dyeing of miscarriage, but hey no .. South East Asia? Remote lands in China? Rural Africa? Same goes for education, ask Malala! There still are places were Madrassas are the only schools available and Quran is the only lesson taught.
January 28, 2010
An interesting contrast to City of Gold as it was written by a local rather than an expat. Skip the first two chapters, a rather dry account of the emirate's growth prior to the 1960s, and tune in where the author begins interspersing accounts of his own life with an overview of the region's growth. I don't think this is for the general reader - really just someone with an interest in the area - but I liked it.
June 23, 2009
This is a really tough read. The writer - an Emirati - compiled this book from stories past down from oral history and memories. But if you can slog through it, it gives you a much better understanding of the Emirates and its culture - particularly Abu Dhabi.
May 28, 2013
Very interesting for anyone in Abu Dhabi. The author is not a novelist, but his memories and description of Abu Dhabi growth are very interesting in their detail and explain a lot about Emirati mindsets.
May 20, 2015
This book gives the history for the UAE and how people changed and start adapting changes in their culture i recommend everyone who needs to know about UAE read this book which will give you some how idea about my country.
October 27, 2010
This was great to get some background on Abu Dhabi. It explains a lot of things, like the esteem that Sheik Zayed is held in.
July 2, 2014
It's an enjoyable and not a huge book that give the reader image about how the society was before and after the oil, through the perspective of the author.
March 16, 2015
A story of Abu Dhabi by Mohammed al fahim.. A must read book
May 1, 2019
A good read if you want to understand Abu Dhabi and UAE better. I read it as fairly new here and must say it gave a deepened understanding of the place and it's history.
January 24, 2018
This non-fiction book counts the history of the Abu Dhabi emirates from 1800 to mid-1990's combined with the author's family biography. The author used a simple, concise and straight forward language to tell it all first about the Abu Dhabi history before discovering oil (1950's) from a political, economical and social perspectives. He described in detail the inter-tribes relationships within the emirates, the relationships with the other emirates, and the relationships with the colonial empire. He didn't refrain from telling everything whether it was difficult, sad, tragic, and/or positive. Then, the author detailed for the readers everything about the discovery of oil in 1950's, the exportation in the 1960's and afterwards and the various positive and negative impacts on the emirate from an individual, a local, and national points of views. Simultaneously, the author gave readers insight into his family's biography from his grandfather generation who left south of Iran to his generation who lived directly the phenomenal rise from rags to riches of Abu Dhabi.
The author wrote this book for the future generation of emiratis so that they know were their ancestors came from and how they lived to how they achieved today's successes. I say that this book is also good for:
- all recent foreign residents to UAE so that they learn about the country they live and work.
- foreign tourists like me (I've been on vacation to UAE 3 times), who are amazed whey see the shopping malls and skycrapers and will be even more impressed after reading this book and realize the humble beginnings just a few decades ago.
- for university students worldwide, who can read the second half of the book to learn about the practice of new government administration, new business ventures, economic and monetary policies using a sudden can inflow.
Like a quote says, it is not the final destination that is important, but the road trip to it. When we read the road to rags from riches of Abu Dhabi, we realize that they have achieved something unique and incredible. Their story could be an example to so many other countries.
The author wrote this book for the future generation of emiratis so that they know were their ancestors came from and how they lived to how they achieved today's successes. I say that this book is also good for:
- all recent foreign residents to UAE so that they learn about the country they live and work.
- foreign tourists like me (I've been on vacation to UAE 3 times), who are amazed whey see the shopping malls and skycrapers and will be even more impressed after reading this book and realize the humble beginnings just a few decades ago.
- for university students worldwide, who can read the second half of the book to learn about the practice of new government administration, new business ventures, economic and monetary policies using a sudden can inflow.
Like a quote says, it is not the final destination that is important, but the road trip to it. When we read the road to rags from riches of Abu Dhabi, we realize that they have achieved something unique and incredible. Their story could be an example to so many other countries.
February 7, 2022
This memoir of a prominent businessman and political insider is also a history of Abu Dhabi, and it's a fascinating one. The author's family is friends with the royal family, so you understand his point of view, but he is also open about some of the difficulties he and his family have weathered.
The author was born in 1948, and at that time Abu Dhabi was a flyspeck in the middle of the desert with little inkling as to what it would become. Pearl diving was a major industry at that time and the descriptions of those who did that work for a living showed the desperation to do anything to help their families survive. Most people lived in poverty. There were almost no paved roads, few buildings had electricity, and plumbing was also quite scarce. The author, due to his family's proximity to the royal family and his father's daring in business, was able to get an education for himself and seeing the English landscape was about as foreign as landing on the moon would have been to him. The author mourns the early death of his mother and a sore point with him as that the region's early leadership was conservative and somewhat isolationist. There were no hospitals in Abu Dhabi province and perhaps one doctor. The author's mother could have survived if she'd had any access to modern medicine. Partly because of this tragedy, the author has great things to say about Sheikh Zayed, the leader who brought Abu Dhabi into the modern world and made it a power to be reckoned with. There are streets named after him in the UAE, and no wonder. He brought sanitation, electricity, paved roads and modern telecommunications to his people, following the traditional role of the ruler who uses his position to give to his people.
I skimmed over some of the politics because I was visiting the UAE and wanted to get a quick overview of its history, but this is a book well worth reading for an understanding of just how much life has changed here in just 50 years. It's incredible.
The author was born in 1948, and at that time Abu Dhabi was a flyspeck in the middle of the desert with little inkling as to what it would become. Pearl diving was a major industry at that time and the descriptions of those who did that work for a living showed the desperation to do anything to help their families survive. Most people lived in poverty. There were almost no paved roads, few buildings had electricity, and plumbing was also quite scarce. The author, due to his family's proximity to the royal family and his father's daring in business, was able to get an education for himself and seeing the English landscape was about as foreign as landing on the moon would have been to him. The author mourns the early death of his mother and a sore point with him as that the region's early leadership was conservative and somewhat isolationist. There were no hospitals in Abu Dhabi province and perhaps one doctor. The author's mother could have survived if she'd had any access to modern medicine. Partly because of this tragedy, the author has great things to say about Sheikh Zayed, the leader who brought Abu Dhabi into the modern world and made it a power to be reckoned with. There are streets named after him in the UAE, and no wonder. He brought sanitation, electricity, paved roads and modern telecommunications to his people, following the traditional role of the ruler who uses his position to give to his people.
I skimmed over some of the politics because I was visiting the UAE and wanted to get a quick overview of its history, but this is a book well worth reading for an understanding of just how much life has changed here in just 50 years. It's incredible.
October 15, 2017
A fascinating work of nonfiction about coming of age in Abu Dhabi. Being born and raised without electricity, clean water, a real school, or even a hospital, Mohammed Al-Fahim in his late teens saw Abu Dhabi transformed into one of the most modern cities in the world. A few years after beginning to grow rich from oil the sheikdom of Abu Dhabi united with other sheikdoms of the former trucial states in 1971 to create a new nation, the United Arab Emirates. Al-Fahim has a fascinating perspective as he grew up before, during, and after the transition with his father as a key adviser to Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan the leader who oversaw Abu Dhabi's explosive growth and was the biggest force for creation of the UAE and became its' first leader. He is a knowledgeable writer who develops the book from a historical perspective including his father (approximately the first half of the book), his personal experiences of growing up as a child prior to any modern technology (the next quarter of the book), and his experiences as a businessman and ambassador as his city transformed and his country grew up (the final quarter of the book). The narrative is interesting and brings a better understanding of a nation many know little about but which plays a key role in the economy of the world with oil, turmoil in the politics of the middle east, a go-to travel destination for luxury, and as an American ally in modern politics. I really enjoyed his perspective. One of the few issues I have, to no fault of the author, is that the book was written in 1996 and over the past 20 years Abu Dhabi has grown and developed even more, continuing to be a global player. It would be interesting to have an updated version of the book.
February 12, 2023
Solid read for someone who wants to get a feel for the history and ethos of the UAE. I read it while visiting. It was a little tedious but worth it to get context for all the space-age architecture, overwhelming wealth displays (electric green Lambo was unremarkable) and relentless “isn’t this amazing what we’ve done” messaging from the Emerati and expats living in “The Bubble”.
From a sleepy, brutal subsistence pearl diving Bedouin society to breathtaking futuristic Vegas-as-a-country in less than 50 years is an amazing story; kind of like Vegas, Singapore, Israel and the Beverly Hillbillies had a baby.
I didn’t find a more promising book than this one for getting up to speed for a visit to the UAE. The memoir is without a doubt written by a guy who is very proud of what he and his countryman have done. The lessons they learned don’t sound all that profound to me but then again I didn’t go from no shoes, schools or windows to Rolls Royce tallest building in the world building in my lifetime.
From a sleepy, brutal subsistence pearl diving Bedouin society to breathtaking futuristic Vegas-as-a-country in less than 50 years is an amazing story; kind of like Vegas, Singapore, Israel and the Beverly Hillbillies had a baby.
I didn’t find a more promising book than this one for getting up to speed for a visit to the UAE. The memoir is without a doubt written by a guy who is very proud of what he and his countryman have done. The lessons they learned don’t sound all that profound to me but then again I didn’t go from no shoes, schools or windows to Rolls Royce tallest building in the world building in my lifetime.
March 30, 2023
Best leuk om is een boek te lezen vanuit een totaal niet-westers perspectief.
Boek gekocht in Dubai omdat ie hier niet te betalen was, daarom juist ook wel nice om een heel ander perspectief te mogen zien.
Mensen in de UAE hebben gewoon sick geluk gehad dat er olie in de grond zit en dat de sjeik welwillend was voor de originele bewoners, anders zouden ze nu nog steeds in een afgetrapt hutje wonen en kameel rijden.
Daarom gaat dit boek maar over geluk naar mijn mening dan dat het echt inspirerend is, maar wel nice om wat meer achtergrond te krijgen bij de vakantie bestemming die we hebben aangedaan.
Boek gekocht in Dubai omdat ie hier niet te betalen was, daarom juist ook wel nice om een heel ander perspectief te mogen zien.
Mensen in de UAE hebben gewoon sick geluk gehad dat er olie in de grond zit en dat de sjeik welwillend was voor de originele bewoners, anders zouden ze nu nog steeds in een afgetrapt hutje wonen en kameel rijden.
Daarom gaat dit boek maar over geluk naar mijn mening dan dat het echt inspirerend is, maar wel nice om wat meer achtergrond te krijgen bij de vakantie bestemming die we hebben aangedaan.
August 21, 2022
Short book about the story of Abu Dhabi. While it's a almost 30 year old book, it's still incredible to read first-person stories about the transformation of the emirate that barely started in the 1970s. I missed some more details about the union of the federation that could have given more insights as to why Sheikh Zayed wanted that to happen when the Abu Dhabi emirate could have probably survived by itself and how did they decide the competencies and the size of the federal government. Interesting book nonetheless
September 5, 2021
It was so interesting to read about the development of Abu Dhabi and how a land went from having nothing to do rich so quickly.
The topic was amazing and Al-Fahim doesn’t claim to be a writer but wanted to document watching his country grow. I appreciate his heart for his nation and reminding the next generation (and other nations) where they came from.
I still couldn’t understand how the jump to development actually took place but I do have a better idea of how the country formed.
The topic was amazing and Al-Fahim doesn’t claim to be a writer but wanted to document watching his country grow. I appreciate his heart for his nation and reminding the next generation (and other nations) where they came from.
I still couldn’t understand how the jump to development actually took place but I do have a better idea of how the country formed.
July 25, 2018
A quick read - that does a good job of explaining the significance of how fast Abu Dhabi came from the “Dark Ages” to “Up to Date”.
November 8, 2018
كنت أتمنى لو كان السرد التاريخي للموضوع قد تم بشكل أفضل
النسخة التي اشتريتها كانت مطبوعة بشكل سيء جداً
وترتيب الصور سيء وفي غير مكانه
النسخة التي اشتريتها كانت مطبوعة بشكل سيء جداً
وترتيب الصور سيء وفي غير مكانه
March 27, 2020
عندما لا يفهم الكثير لما يقدّر الإماراتي الشيخ زايد رحمه الله، هنا مواقف لتساعد
August 3, 2020
An extremely fascinating story which intertwines both a personal and national story of epic proportions.
February 27, 2021
كتاب جميل يروى قصة تحول ابو ظبى و الامارات و كيف كانت الحياة فى الامارات قبل البترول و كيف تحولت.
بمهارة شديدة يحكى محمد الفهيم تاريخ الامارات و يمزج بين مهارة الراوى و كاتب السيرة الذاتية
بمهارة شديدة يحكى محمد الفهيم تاريخ الامارات و يمزج بين مهارة الراوى و كاتب السيرة الذاتية
June 18, 2021
Leadership determine the real destination 👏
Sheikh Zayed
Sheikh Zayed
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