دوبی سریع ترین شهر دنیا

by Jim Krane, هرمز همایون‌پور (Translator)

کتاب حاضر سرگذشت یک دهکدهٔ کوچک و پر گل ولای عرب است که از دزدان دریایی و جنگجویان مذهبی گرفته تا دیکتاتورها طی سالیان بر آن حکمروایی داشتند. کسی تصور نمی کرد که این دهکدهٔ کوچک روزی به شهری بدل شود که لقب سریع ترین شهر دنیا را به خود اختصاص دهد. در 1960، دوبی سفری آغاز کرد که از هر آن چه عرب ها در چندین صدسال انجام داده بودند، هیجان انگیزتر بود. شهر با گذشت زمان بزرگ تر و درخشان تر شد. دهکده نشینان که پدران شان ملخ می خوردند، حال رداهای شفاف گلدوزی شده به تن می کردند و سالمندان بی سواد با جت های شخصی به خرید می رفتند.

دوبی: سریع ترین شهر دنیا کتابی است که به چگونگی شکل گیری شهر دوبی و توسعهٔ آن به صورت داستانی می پردازد و خواننده را در عین این که با خود همسفر می کند، اطلاعات مفیدی نیز در اختیارش می گذارد.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Middle East, Travel, Politics, Business, Economics

412 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Emma Deplores Goodreads Censorship · Rating 3 out of 5]

This account of Dubai’s history and challenges isn’t quite a textbook, but it’s much closer to that than the sort of popular nonfiction people read for entertainment. It is quite thorough, covering Dubai’s history, its leaders, the downsides and seedy underbelly to its fantastic growth, and the challenges it faces going forward. The book is organized in academic fashion, in short topical subsections, and would be well-suited to a college course.

For someone who doesn’t know much about Dubai – I read this book for my world books challenge and not due to any personal connection – this provides a good base of information about the place. And Dubai is certainly a fascinating place, going from a desert fishing village without electricity to a world-class city within 50 years. According to Krane, the secret to its extraordinary growth is a line of visionary sheikhs unencumbered by any checks on their power, able to take advantage of Dubai’s few natural advantages and build a diverse economy that’s become a regional hub for trade.

But while Krane writes a lot – more than I wanted to read – about building projects and economic ventures, and seems duly impressed with a city able to become a major tourist destination despite having no cultural or historical sites and to construct the world’s tallest building despite having been a land of illiterate fishermen and nomads only a generation before, he also acknowledges the faults. Dubai’s population is 95% expatriate, but with no opportunity to gain citizenship, especially for the unskilled, poorly-paid South Asian workers imported to build its skyscrapers. It does little to stop sex trafficking in a city that’s 75% male. And sustainability has never been part of its development. Krane presents both the positives and negatives without seeming to choose a side. He also deals with the politics (seemingly a no-go issue in Dubai), acknowledging how one-man rule has facilitated development, but also recognizing that if Dubai wants to become a cultural hub rather than just a collection of skyscrapers, political expression and participation will have to come with it.

The book has two obvious drawbacks and one less obvious. First, it’s dry, organized topically rather than through a narrative structure and focusing most of its attention on economic projects. Second, it’s quickly becoming dated: it was published in 2009, already an age ago by the standards of Dubai’s rapid development and change; there’s a hasty epilogue about the possible effects of the financial crisis, which was only just hitting Dubai as the book went to press. The third and less obvious drawback is that while Krane certainly discusses the significance and influence of Dubai in the Middle East, the majority of his interview subjects are Westerners like himself; to the extent the book gives much sense of life in Dubai, it's mostly the life of Western expats. This is true even when locals could provide more interesting perspectives. For instance, in the chapter about Dubai’s often fatal traffic, Krane writes about an infamous highway pileup from the perspective of a German flight engineer who crashed on his way to work, then includes a shorter section discussing young Emirati men’s love of reckless driving. Interviewing Emirati men instead would have made this section much more insightful and interesting.

Overall, this book seems like a good choice for academic or occupational purposes, but less so for the casual reader. It is certainly informative, but there’s a reason I could find it only at my university library.

[blackness · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I lived very near Dubai practically visited the city every weekend for 2 years.

This book would be a fantastic read for anyone who is interested in Dubai for whatever reason. I have some very strong feelings about Dubai, mostly negative, and this book helped change a lot of my thoughts about this very interested city.

The book is divided in to basically three sections, and I really enjoyed all of them.

The first section is the history of Dubai. This was my favorite part. It really changed my outlook on Dubai and an its founders. Out here (in the Middle East) the founders of the UAE are generally treated as visionary saints by the local population and anywhere from idiot novaue-riche tacky billionaire to greedy despots by the expatriates.

Reading Krane's version of their history impressed me because there really were some genius moves that didn't involve waking up on top of an oil reserve that cemented Dubai's place in the world. It also explained some of the common questions of everyday life out here: Why is the labor class Indian, the retail sector full of Phillipenos, and why are there so many Iranian in the souq and car sales. Who is Al-Futtain and why is the name on every other car. Also there are great little details about the various neighborhoods in Dubai that used to be separate villages. This whole section of the book makes driving around Dubai a whole different experience.

The second part of the book reads like an advertisement for Dubai's ruling leader and all of his wonderful things he has done. This is WELL KNOWN in this part of the world. If anything Dubai is great at, it is letting others know what it has accomplished and why it is amazing. This was the least interesting but still fun to read because of Krane's periodic gossipy stories along the way.

Then the third part, the difficulties and underbelly of the glitzy city is well handled. Dubai is frequently a the punching bag for expats and honestly it is quite easy to mock, but Krane handled the critiques honestly and very even handed.

This I think was the books greatest accomplishment: Krane's ability to critique without falling into mockery and jadedness, as well as shining a light on the great things about the city without becoming another propaganda brochure.

I highly recommend it to anyone living out in this area.

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[Mohammed Rasheen · Rating 4 out of 5]

When my grandfather first came to Dubai, early 70s, he crossed the Arabian sea in a dhow, like most of the people did during those times, from Bombay without a passport. My mother said there was no contact from him at all for around 4 months, no news from him, and no letters except the one he wrote home just before he left the Bombay. And then it started coming after long wait which had long descriptions about his trip how this dhow stopped some offshores of Khorfakhan how he had to swim to the beach how he managed to find food and places to stay and about the trip to sharjah and then a walk to dubai, about the beaten up pickup trucks and dusty roads.with a single tower of world trade center towering beside the sheikh zayer road,the national highway. His life as an expatriate was starting there and my his family was becoming the family of a ‘pravasi’ like of hundreds and thousands of people who sacrificed his or her life and emotions for the financial security of his closest ones. I knew the reason when I saw my mother was crying watching this movie Pathemari , she said it was almost like how he had described the journey and his dreams and hopes.
from his personal experience he had vowed that he’d never marry her daughter to an expatriate in gulf.

but my father was forced to leave his motherland couple of month before I was born in search of a fortune, and story was similar to the average gulf keralites. And he completed 28years now.

and today,here I am in the same land Alhamdulillah living a cozy life with my dearest ones, and Alhamdulillah in best comfort I dare to dream. And dubai is different now. Came a long way from the day my grandfather first came here. And I can assure it is beyond the wildest expectation he must have had. I really don’t know whether I’ll surpass my grandfather’s or my father’s ‘gulf-time’ because dubai is indeed unpredictable.

city of gold is written in small essays, covering little bit old history(during caliphate), it's modern history(post 1930s),society, government, economy, business strategies and global diplomacy,. And of course her dream to be best in top in the planet in every aspect, like the author concluded dubai has only half way through building it’s physical infrastructure, and after completing the body comes the visionary ruler’s next phase of dubai dream- Building a soul. This book is a quick guide to past and present of this city of dubai, It glorifies this cities brave moves and unmatched speed of growth as well as the system of government and tolerance and global diplomacy, How it started with British(watching the ill-fate of Sharjah and Ras al khaima) and later it dealt with the Iran and USA. This book also criticize how insecure the local citizens feel about their future. And treatment of lowest tier laborers and well as the least concern over the environmental sustainability while building mega islands in the sea. I highly recommend this to everyone who stays or stayed in this city. I am searching for more detailed works on each aspects mentioned in this book, especially history on this land.

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sorry I didn't read this book before moving to the UAE, but I do wish I had read it sooner after our arrival. It answered so many questions I've had about Dubai over the last few months, and I loved all the great "insider" stories. I also appreciated the very even-handed treatment of Dubai - the author neither fetes Dubai undeservedly nor dismisses its oddly triumphant successes. It's tempting to characterize the UAE as a backwards qausi-nation of migrant tribesman who subsisted for a milennium in abject poverty before falling into oil wealth in the latter half of the 20th century. Although this may be a true assessment - and it's the perspective I saw when living in other Arab countries - it is not a fair one. Dubai really is an amazing place. I liked this passage, which describes what I love about this city:

"Dubai is simultaneously the planet's most cosmopolitan and tolerant city, a beacon of peace and prosperity where all of mankind is welcome - as long as you work."

The book is very slightly out of date, which is understandable considering the pace of change here. Specifically, Dubai Mall seems to be doing extremely well for itself these days, and the metro is up and running.

Great book. Very close to five stars.

[thereadytraveller · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re one of the more than 16 million international visitsors that are likely to travel to Dubai in the next 12 months and looking for a book to provide you with all the background history on the United Arab Emirates best known Emirate, then Krane has written the book for you.

City of Gold is a very readable account of how a range of bold moves made by its ruling family, the al-Maktoums, managed to transform a small Emirate, that only switched on the electrical lights in 1967, into a regional powerhouse despite the absence of significant oil supplies (Dubai only had 4% of the UAE’s oil reserves).

Whilst at times it can be a little bit fawning on the Emirates rulers, it also achieves a modicum of balance by describing some of the issues the Emirate faces having imported more than 90% of its population in order to build the city into a modern state. Recommended reading for anyone visiting the UAE or has an interest in how a country that was a real backwater and numbered only 80,000 people as late as the 1930s has been able to radically transform itself under "tribal autocracy" rule.

[Natassia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who would've thought a dense history of a single city could be such a page turner? Fantastically written and constantly engaging.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Córdoba remains the pinnacle of Arab achievement. When it fell apart after 1031, the Arab world sank into a long and debilitating decline. It has never regained its greatness. Córdoba is Sheikh Mohammed’s archetype for Dubai. He wants to re create this ancient spirit of learning and tolerance. But his ambitions go beyond that. He views Dubai as the engine that will drag the Arab world into a renaissance. Not an economic engine, per se, but a model of effective governance and self-reliance. (Krane)

This is a dated book, written over a decade ago. It still has appeal however as it describes the history of Dubai and the Emirates, their rise from a Bedouin desert society into one of the most discussed cities in the world. The books is also weirdly split into two parts - one where the author gushes on the Emirati rulers achievements, and another, written possibly after Krane left Dubai, where he finally depicts the UAE in more realistic tones.

Having recently visited Dubai and having very little expectations, I actually found the city exciting. Not so much for its skyscrapers and and beaches and five star hotels, but for the boundless energy of the people who live there. It is young and busy and it certainly surpasses in energy some of the oldest capitals in Europe. As Krane says, Dubai's geography makes it central to the shifting world politics, from West to East, and there's much to be said for being in a location so close to India and Iran, providers of cheap labour and also of incredible intellect.

The book however obviously misses the recent controversies surrounding Dubai, only skimming the experiences of many a foreigner after the economic crash of 2009, when many Westerners fled for their lives. That is a chapter that Krane chooses to simply skip, and perhaps contributes to the short worldwide memory of how some decent folk were treated by the UAE back then. Similarly, human rights issues are summarily depicted. 2.5 stars.

[Luke Eure · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book to skim if you are traveling to Dubai which I was. I'd recommend the first few chapters for historical context and also the chapters on citizenship and sex workers in Dubai.

I learned the UAE has the highest per-capita energy consumption in the world - and during the summer 90% of electricity is spent on air conditioning.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book in anticipation of my graduate program’s intercession trek to Dubai. I wanted to get a general overview of the city so that I could really understand what I was seeing and get the most out of my time there. This book did not disappoint*. It gave a concise but thorough history of the city and its rise to the global stage. It also introduced me to the founding fathers of modern Dubai: Sheikh Rashid, whose vision saw Dubai transforming from a small village on the edge of nowhere to become the center of commerce for the Middle East, and his son, Sheikh Mohammad, whose dedication and drive have brought to pass much of his father’s vision.

The book also provides an overview of some of the most distinctive characteristics of Dubai. I was shocked to learn that the city did not even have electricity until the 1960s, when we were putting men on the moon! I was also appalled to learn that slavery was legal in Dubai until 1963, and many former slaves are still living and working in the city, though it is a subject that no one talks about. The book describes the rise of the Emirates airline, as well as the perils of driving the streets of Dubai. It goes into detail on the dredging of the gulf to create the Palm islands, and the vision that gave rise to Burj Al Arab. Though it is a bit dated (2009) and still refers to the Burj Kalifa as the Burj Dubai, I feel like it was a good introduction to the city, both the good and the bad.

*After completing my trip, this book was excellent preparation. If you are going to Dubai, I highly recommend it.

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last quarter of this book is when it really gets going and becomes hard to put down. Great insight into Sheikh Mohammed's decision making process and how he factors in being an in between of the US and Iran, and explains why democracy will likely never become prominent within the country.. Found the overall history to be fascinating, and even after living in the area for two years, Krane was able to clarify things that I had previously believed. If interested in how to build a city and major international hub in 20 years, read this book. It's your blueprint.

[Rachel Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating. I simultaneously wish that Dubai didn't exist, and that I could move there.

Krane is a journalist for the Economist, and has a lot of flair for storytelling. He discusses many aspects of Dubai, including it's tribal system of government, middle-eastern culture and history, feats in engineering, environmental and labor issues, and current local and global economic situation.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are thick layers of fog in this book and gorgeous sunshine. As in the city of Dubai, the history seems useless. If it's happening now it seems to take on the graceful arc of the Burj al Arab hotel and glimmer in the desert sun.

[Shana · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book confirmed my preconceived notions that Dubai is both a strange and fascinating place. It doesn’t quite fit the mold created by other countries in that region, yet it’s not quite Westernized either. It seems to walk a fine line, but a zigzagged one, if that makes any sense.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. The beginning (History of Dubai) was the best part of the book. This was very interesting throughout and it gives an honest, un-biased telling of the rise of Dubai. I am already recommending this book to other co-workers.

[Paige Kilian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating

[Jacqie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an overview of the history, culture and politics of Dubai. The author was once a journalist based in Dubai so he's got an understanding based on living there as well as his sources. It does feel like he didn't want to burn any bridges when writing this book, so you'll probably want to read between the lines a little.

The early part of the book was the least effective, at least for me. The author writes a quick overview of Dubai's history, and a lot of the anecdotes felt like they weren't telling the whole story. I wasn't too impressed with that part of the book, but once the author reaches the 70's and later, which was when Dubai began to build itself into a city of gold, things start getting pretty interesting.

I first got really absorbed in this book with the description of building the Burj al Arab, the giant hotel on its own island that is shaped like a sail. Part of the splash that Dubai has made in the world has been because of its cutting edge, instantly recognizable architecture, and the Burj al Arab was the first foray in that direction. Reading about the construction, it becomes clear that the upside of having an autocratic government is that things get done after one person makes the decision- no bureaucracy, no committees, just give the word and it must be done. That means that decisive aggressiveness in a ruler is rewarded. There are also obvious risks with this way of doing things. But this is how Dubai was built. The ruler decided that Dubai needed information system technology. So he built Internet City, a business park and neighborhood where he deposited the tech workers that he'd recruited and then set them to building it all from the ground up. This model was used for many of the systems that Dubai needed.

It's truly awe inspiring to think about just how quickly this city has become a big international player. This was the purpose of its rulers and they are succeeding. Dubai does not have a ton of oil, but it does have great positioning in international trade waters, and it's set about making itself indispensable. Another goal has been to make Dubai an attractive place for ex-pats and tourists. Dubai has made itself a sophisticated city with world class restaurants, fabulous shopping, and all the modern comforts and conveniences. It's glitzy and dazzling, the new place to be and to make oneself wealthy.

Of course, nothing is perfect, and the author does shed some light on the plight of the guest workers who are by far the most numerous inhabitants of Dubai. (Perhaps 20%, if that, of the people living in Dubai are Emiratis). These guest workers can never become citizens, they have no voice, and many many of them are exploited for labor or for sex. Energy consumption is unsustainably high. And I can attest to just how terrifying driving on a Dubai highway can be.

The end of this book is far better than the beginning. The author balances out the rosy portrayal of the success story of Dubai with the downside as well. It's certain that Dubai has become a major player on the world stage after basically willing that into being. I wonder what it will do next.

[Jennifer Pletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about the city of Dubai - one of 7 cities in the UAE. A city that is not even 60 years old and has transformed from a dusbowl to one of the richest cities on the planet. It is one of the fastest growing cities. Even though it is surrounded by some of the most dangerous places in the world, it remains one of the safest.



The author uses this book to report about the people of Dubai. He delves into the government (the crown prince and royal family that makes all the decisions), the migrant workers, the citizens, the expats....he talks to all groups. It is a roller coaster ride of the book where you see all the amazing things about Dubai (how its citizens are actually given free health care, a monetary stipend, free schooling, etc) and the hardships that lie outside the peripheral vision of the tourist (the small villages that are over run with immigrant workers living in terrible conditions). Like every country there are pros and cons, delights and evils, and this book touches on them all.



What The Crowned Prince built is amazing. The billions that were spent over such a small amount of time and what Dubai is just 60 years after it became a city would blown any visitor away. You have to see it belive it.



The book was written in 2008 and updated in 2010, and at that point, UAE did have high debts from its real estate growth. I was trying to search the internet to see where it stands now, because when we were there in 2018- it was still growing and still building. We were told by our driver that they have more money than they know what to do with. Searching the internet, though, and you will get conflicting reports. I would love to read an updated book on this city to see how things are going for them.



I encourage you to read this book to learn about the 3rd richest country in the world. And then I encourage you to visit. You will not be disappointed. It was truly magical.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

A worthwhile read for anyone who wants to understand how Dubai became what it is. I am going there in a month, and I’m sure I will be grateful for the layers of context this book has provided when I experience the city. My only quibble is that the book is a bit oddly structured and somewhat underdeveloped in the second half, but it’s nevertheless pleasantly readable throughout.

The book was published in 2009, with an epilogue addressing the effects of the financial crisis on Dubai’s growth; it would be great if the author published a new edition with an epilogue addressing Dubai’s recovery in the past ten years. There were many times when, as I read, I wished I had more current information at hand to deepen my understanding of how Dubai’s history has manifested in its present.

[Shalaj Lawania · Rating 5 out of 5]

For some reason, for all matters pertaining to Dubai, finding good books is a challenge. Either they are excessive glorifications or extremely desperate attempts to expose a 'dark underbelly' to a city that's grown too fast for comfort.

Jim Krane's City Of Gold is definitely the most balanced book I have read on this fascinating city. Well researched, sharply edited with good writing, this book is a comprehensive journey of Dubai's evolution in the 20th century, with the good and bad highlighted in equal measure.

Unfortunately, Dubai's accelerated growth that inspired this book in 2009 never really stopped, so many elements of the second half are quite dated now. But if you were around Dubai till that decade, then it would still make sense - loads of it.

[Anwar Maricar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up in dubai since mid 70s I thought I knew all about dubai, until I read this book

only then, I had to undervalue myself

in real, I knew less than 10% of this book

places like Grey McKenzie, have seen it. but, did not know when it started and how

people tell of dubai from 1970s, but, the story goes back to 1830s

very interesting read, it puts you into mesmerisation of the stories no one previously told

exceptional ! don't think that any other book would have more contents than this. well researched.

[Szabolcs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great comprehensive writing covering the region's history from before the Bani Yas Tribe all the way to the rapid transition of the city today. What I liked about this book is how it explores and connects various perspectives, with increasing day-to-day examples toward the second half of the book that make it engaging and easily relatable. If you want to best understand Dubai, and to a smaller extent the Emirates in one book, this is a solid choice.

[Iman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book although it focuses more on the financials then I would have liked. I was more interested in learning about the history of Dubai, its role in the region and role in the Emirates. However the last chapter about the problems dubai faces was really good and spot on in my opinion. This book is more then 10 years old however so a lot of the info especially about markets and economic trends is pretty irrelevant now.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was endlessly fascinating! A thorough deep dive into Dubai, exploring the good, the bad, and the city’s jaw-dropping transformation over just a few decades. I could hardly put it down. The only downside is that it was published in 2009, so it ends at the 2008 financial crash and leaves you hanging just as everything starts to unravel. I wish an updated copy would briefly explain about the success and difficulties Dubai has had since then.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

A fascinating book charting the rise and stumble of Dubai and the UAE as a whole. A great insight into the allure, opportunities and challenges of an increasingly globalised society. A shame that the final chapter is a bit wet - otherwise 5*s would have been richly deserved.

[Corey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the back story of the founding of Dubai. The book is about 20 years old so some of the stories are dated. But I was there recently and some of the predictions have come true. Capitalism can be cruel but the progress in the Middle East is contagious.

[Ashlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned so much from this book. It felt like a very, very long journalistic article, which was mostly good but also made it drag sometimes. The biggest bummer is that it was written in 2009, so a lot of more recent history is missing

[Rinku · Rating 5 out of 5]

The antedotial testimonials coupled with the journalstic facts were a perfect combination. I learned a lot from this book.

[Sayde Scarlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a long-term resident of Dubai, and this is one of the fairest accounts of the city-state's history. It's also incredibly readable, informative, and lucidly written.

[Sophia Wu · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting but felt extremely dated now that it’s a decade old. Spent most of the second half looking things up to see what the current state of everything was.