The Saudi Enigma: A History

by Pascal Menoret

Despite speculation about Saudi interests and loyalties that have been directed at the country since 9/11, Arabia remains the key US ally in the Arab Middle East. Ménoret debunks the facile notions about Saudi society, and focuses our attention on present political and economic realities that cannot be reduced to essentialist "tribalist" ideas. Ménoret illustrates the emerging autonomous--and Islamic--manifestations of Saudi national identity, fiercely reformist rather than medieval, complex and varied rather than merely a justification or support for the rule of the al-Saud royal family. Underlying this account is a sophisticated economic history of the Saudi state, from the eighteenth century to the present day, which details all the alliances and manoeuvres that have brought the country and its rulers to their current precarious position.

Genres: History, Middle East, Islam

256 pages, Paperback

First published August 20, 2005

Reviews

[Alanoud (Anna) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've skimmed through this book for my IR750 thesis selection class.
I needed a good material for my literature review on Saudi Arabian Narrative. I was stuck to only find many books by Madawi AlRasheed who seem to focus on one aspect of the saudi national identity only. (my hypothesis is that the Saudi national identity accounts for the religious, political, social and economical transformation/change under the ruling of AlSaud)
This provided excellent and objective data for my project. I really wished I had the time to read the whole book (I had to check out 9 other books to skim as well)

[Ichya']

wow

[Omar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book. A sociolo-political and historical view on Saudi culture. Badly written but great content.