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IBN Saud: The Desert Warrior and His Legacy
As the file of riders begins to climb the ground becomes drier, the patches of pasture start to give way to stones and outcrops of hardened marl and rock. The tall palms give way to an increasingly sparse covering of smaller trees, until they in turn peter out, to leave only acacia, scrub and thorny brushwood clinging on among the loose stones and rocky outcrops of the wadi's increasingly steep side. As the camels pick their patient, sure-footed way upwards on the splayed pads of their generous hooves a still deeper silence seems to grip the entire caravan, the beasts too now seemingly as much in its grip as their riders. It is a silence to match the darkness and depth of fate at this blackest hour in the long history of the House of Saud.
598 pages, Hardcover
First published September 6, 2010
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December 16, 2023
Masterful!
When Abd al-Aziz Ibn Saud was just a little boy, his aunt would sit him on her lap and tell him, “ thou must revive the glory of the House of Ibn Saud.”
Unfortunately, the story doesn’t start out on such a positive
note for the al Saud family. It is 1891, the future king is ten years old, and they are escaping into the night.
During the early 1740’s, the al Saud family was the Amir, a political title, of the small fertile town of Diriyah. Though their rule was sometimes challenged, they mostly ruled without problems.
Around this time, a deeply religious young scholar named Muhammad Ibn al Wahhabi returns from traveling the Muslim Middle East, preaching a return to the Islam of the prophet Muhammad. His strict appeals to monotheism was adopted by the al Sauds and helped them increase their rule and power and so began the branch of Islam called Wahhabism.
With the al Sauds using Wahhabism to help them grow their power, the Wahhab were themselves given religious power over their people.
Over the years, the al Sauds and the Wahhabis would clash when Ibn Saud would try to do things to modernize his kingdom. The Wahhab was against any outside, or western influences and even instigated uprisings against the al Sauds.
The Wahhabi were considered zealous by the Europeans, who were not trusted by them. But it turns out that the Wahhabi were right to not trust the west. Not only was Britain and France, and later Italy and Russia, as well as Germany, followed by America, all trying to heavily influence Middle Eastern countries, but the British, who were considered to be long time friends were caught conspiring with France, signing an agreement to take over the country and divide it amongst themselves.
The Americans, themselves, thought it their right to invade the country and take over their oil fields beginning during President Nixon’s reign.
This book covers a lot of history. And it is very interesting because it explains a lot about why the people of the Middle East feel the way they do about the western countries today. It doesn’t make excuses for terrorism, but it does explain why terrorists exist.
It helps explain why Saudi Arabia is torn between a deep religious view of the Quran, at the same time needing the Quran to justify the rule of the al Sauds.
The ancient tribal beliefs of the Bedouin that has been incorporated into Islam and its use to slowly develop the rights of women into Saudi society, has on some occasions placed limits on how much freedom women will be given.
Michael Darlow used numerous sources (he even put in some great photos) to explore the subject of his book. On many occasions he used eyewitnesses as his sources, letters, diaries and even Ibn Saud, himself.
If you are a lover of history and are interested in knowing some things about the Middle East, Saudi Arabia in particular, you will enjoy this book.
Five stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
When Abd al-Aziz Ibn Saud was just a little boy, his aunt would sit him on her lap and tell him, “ thou must revive the glory of the House of Ibn Saud.”
Unfortunately, the story doesn’t start out on such a positive
note for the al Saud family. It is 1891, the future king is ten years old, and they are escaping into the night.
During the early 1740’s, the al Saud family was the Amir, a political title, of the small fertile town of Diriyah. Though their rule was sometimes challenged, they mostly ruled without problems.
Around this time, a deeply religious young scholar named Muhammad Ibn al Wahhabi returns from traveling the Muslim Middle East, preaching a return to the Islam of the prophet Muhammad. His strict appeals to monotheism was adopted by the al Sauds and helped them increase their rule and power and so began the branch of Islam called Wahhabism.
With the al Sauds using Wahhabism to help them grow their power, the Wahhab were themselves given religious power over their people.
Over the years, the al Sauds and the Wahhabis would clash when Ibn Saud would try to do things to modernize his kingdom. The Wahhab was against any outside, or western influences and even instigated uprisings against the al Sauds.
The Wahhabi were considered zealous by the Europeans, who were not trusted by them. But it turns out that the Wahhabi were right to not trust the west. Not only was Britain and France, and later Italy and Russia, as well as Germany, followed by America, all trying to heavily influence Middle Eastern countries, but the British, who were considered to be long time friends were caught conspiring with France, signing an agreement to take over the country and divide it amongst themselves.
The Americans, themselves, thought it their right to invade the country and take over their oil fields beginning during President Nixon’s reign.
This book covers a lot of history. And it is very interesting because it explains a lot about why the people of the Middle East feel the way they do about the western countries today. It doesn’t make excuses for terrorism, but it does explain why terrorists exist.
It helps explain why Saudi Arabia is torn between a deep religious view of the Quran, at the same time needing the Quran to justify the rule of the al Sauds.
The ancient tribal beliefs of the Bedouin that has been incorporated into Islam and its use to slowly develop the rights of women into Saudi society, has on some occasions placed limits on how much freedom women will be given.
Michael Darlow used numerous sources (he even put in some great photos) to explore the subject of his book. On many occasions he used eyewitnesses as his sources, letters, diaries and even Ibn Saud, himself.
If you are a lover of history and are interested in knowing some things about the Middle East, Saudi Arabia in particular, you will enjoy this book.
Five stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 15, 2013
This is a wonderfully detailed and well-written biography of the remarkable man who fused a number of warring tribes into a major player on the world stage. The early life of Ibn Saud is full of dramatic and exciting incidents and his character is portrayed perceptively.
Parts of the book deal with historical personages such as Lawrence of Arabia, Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Lord Curzon, Gertrude Bell, H. St. John Philby, and others. The theme of how Ibn Saud dealt with the Wahhabis is relevant to our dealings today with groups such as the Taliban.
My only criticisms are (a) the book claims there are maps at the endpapers and they were missing from my copy, and (b) some of the sections that give the background to what was going on in the world at the time applicable to Arabia could have been condensed in the expectation that the average reader of this book probably already has a pretty solid grasp of world history.
Otherwise this was a delightful read, full of entertaining and interesting incidents and quotes.
Parts of the book deal with historical personages such as Lawrence of Arabia, Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Lord Curzon, Gertrude Bell, H. St. John Philby, and others. The theme of how Ibn Saud dealt with the Wahhabis is relevant to our dealings today with groups such as the Taliban.
My only criticisms are (a) the book claims there are maps at the endpapers and they were missing from my copy, and (b) some of the sections that give the background to what was going on in the world at the time applicable to Arabia could have been condensed in the expectation that the average reader of this book probably already has a pretty solid grasp of world history.
Otherwise this was a delightful read, full of entertaining and interesting incidents and quotes.
March 5, 2016
This biography of Ibn Saud, the man who created Saudi Arabia is a must read for westerners who want to understand more about this kingdom which covers the majority of the Arabian peninsula. The book is heavily footnoted and contains some priceless vintage photos. The authors strive for historical accuracy, and to not judge Ibn Saud and his sons and successors by western standards.
July 22, 2025
Long, but interesting book about the creation of Saudi Arabia!
September 25, 2024
Good read for anyone seeking to understand the formation of Saudi Arabia and the broader Arabian Peninsula. The book delves deep into the Saud family and provides valuable context on the region's tribal dynamics and political complexities.
November 5, 2023
My four-star review is for the breadth and readability of this book, not so much its historiography, which I question (mildly) on numerous fronts.
What I mean is that the story and pacing of the book is GREAT. However, there are many cases where I'd really like to check the authors' references, or seek out references from sources affiliated by the Husseins/Hashemites, the Rashids, or other groups within the region.
In some cases where there are stories about Ibn Saud, the assertions seem to be more about family legend than documented historical fact. In other cases, the documentation is from Western political and biographical sources. Overall, that technique works for me; it created an interesting reading experience where the semi-legendary nature of Abdelaziz is contrasted to the somewhat lunkheaded simplicity of the British and Americans.
The writing is embarrassingly clunky at times, but at other times is self-consciously poetic, to the point of being slightly pretentious. However, that works for me in terms of reader experience; I love some of the poetic turns of phrase that are endemic to Islamic/Arab writing and thinking, and this book does a more or less serviceable job of evoking that tone without being blatantly condescending (as some other Western writing about Arabic speakers can sometimes be).
As a bio, it is strongly slanted to a Pro-Abdelaziz aesthetic, which is what it is... just keep it in mind if you're reading it for a political perspective on the region.
Overall, I LOVED the experience of reading it; however, I would not necessarily defend it as a piece of serious history writing. Not without a lot more digging and fact-checking.
What I mean is that the story and pacing of the book is GREAT. However, there are many cases where I'd really like to check the authors' references, or seek out references from sources affiliated by the Husseins/Hashemites, the Rashids, or other groups within the region.
In some cases where there are stories about Ibn Saud, the assertions seem to be more about family legend than documented historical fact. In other cases, the documentation is from Western political and biographical sources. Overall, that technique works for me; it created an interesting reading experience where the semi-legendary nature of Abdelaziz is contrasted to the somewhat lunkheaded simplicity of the British and Americans.
The writing is embarrassingly clunky at times, but at other times is self-consciously poetic, to the point of being slightly pretentious. However, that works for me in terms of reader experience; I love some of the poetic turns of phrase that are endemic to Islamic/Arab writing and thinking, and this book does a more or less serviceable job of evoking that tone without being blatantly condescending (as some other Western writing about Arabic speakers can sometimes be).
As a bio, it is strongly slanted to a Pro-Abdelaziz aesthetic, which is what it is... just keep it in mind if you're reading it for a political perspective on the region.
Overall, I LOVED the experience of reading it; however, I would not necessarily defend it as a piece of serious history writing. Not without a lot more digging and fact-checking.
May 25, 2016
This is by far the best source that is generally available on the earlier history of the House of Saudi in the 18th and 19th centuries, the origin of the Wahhabi movement, and the creation of the state of Saudi Arabia. More than just a biography of Ibn Saud--who lived an amazing and daring life--it is a valuable tome on the customs and politics of Arabia from the late 19th to early 20th centuries.
December 7, 2021
This book greatly increased my knowledge of Saudi Arabia and its relationship with other countries.
November 10, 2024
A brilliant book, albeit with a sympathetic tone towards its subject matter, yet unflinchingly fair in its exploration of the past and present of what we now call Saudi Arabia—the third reincarnation of the Saudi state. Through the life of Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Faisal, better known to history as Ibn Saud, the reader is carefully yet thrillingly guided through a turbulent period in the Arabian hinterland. This was an era when the region lay under the waning influence of the Ottoman Empire, with Britain and France, the colonial "upstarts," waiting in the wings. Throughout this period, various factions saw it as both a divine right and a duty to expand their tribal territories, imagining themselves capable and willing to unite the Arabian tribes under a single banner. Among these contenders were the Rashidis of Al Shammar—longtime foes of the House of Saud—and, of course, the powerful yet delusional Sharif Hussein of the Hejaz, custodian of Islam's holiest sites in Mecca and Medina.
Against this unsettled backdrop rose Ibn Saud, a man of immense destiny. The son of Abdul Rahman, the last Emir of Nejd, who was forced to flee with his family under cover of night in 1891 to escape the advancing Rashid armies, that marked the collapse of the second Saudi state. Unlike his ancestors, who were brutally killed in the Ottoman-led destruction of the first Saudi state at Diriyah in 1818, Ibn Saud and his family survived thanks to the providence of Allah, which guided his family to a safe haven under the protection of the Emir of Kuwait. But Ibn Saud, then only 16, was no ordinary survivor. With an audacious belief in his destiny rivaling only that of the Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro, he undertook a daring night raid on Riyadh, the ancestral home of the House of Saud. With only a handful of men, he took the city by surprise, driving out the Rashidis and reestablishing Saudi rule in Nejd. The Arabian world had now met its bold, tall, and charismatic warrior.
In the years that followed, Ibn Saud eschewed the traditional inward-looking approach of other Arabian emirs. Instead, he embodied a form of Arab nationalism, viewing the Ottomans as invaders who needed to be pushed out for true Arab independence. Yet, unlike his ancestor Muhammad bin Saud—founder of the first Saudi state—who had unwisely challenged Ottoman control of Mecca and Medina, Ibn Saud recognized the need for a counterbalance and found it in the British. Through his pragmatism and mastery of realpolitik, he forged alliances, bided his time, and played various factions against one another, traits he likely learned from observing the machiavellian Emir of Kuwait, Mubarak. Westerners often misjudged him as a backward Wahhabi fanatic, failing to recognize his tactical brilliance and surprising political tolerance.
Patiently consolidating his power, Ibn Saud offered olive branches to conquered tribes and integrated defeated foes. After World War I, he finally took Al Shammar, home to his lifelong adversaries, the Rashidis. In characteristic Ibn Saud fashion, he rehabilitated the defeated Rashidis, incorporating them into his family and even marrying their widows. One of these women would later become the mother of Prince Abdullah, who ruled as King of Saudi Arabia in 2005.
Finally came the long-anticipated confrontation with Sharif Hussein and the Hashemites of Hejaz. Ibn Saud, ever calculating, waited until Sharif Hussein’s overreach lost him British support, at which point he swiftly moved in, conquering Hejaz and taking control of Mecca and Medina. In 1932, the nation of Saudi Arabia was born, with Ibn Saud—Emir of Nejd and Hejaz—now its king.
Indeed, Darlow’s portrayal is sympathetic and, at times, partial to Ibn Saud. The cynic in me doubts that Ibn Saud was purely a benevolent, strategic unifier. Surely there were less admirable episodes that the author chose to downplay. Nonetheless, what is beyond dispute is that Ibn Saud was a departure from the typical Bedouin chieftain of his time. His vision of Arabian nationalism at a time of deep tribal divisions speaks volumes about his unique outlook. Surprisingly progressive for a Wahhabi imam, Ibn Saud cautiously introduced modern inventions like radios, cars, and eventually television to Saudi Arabia, despite objections from conservative clerics.
This is where the author’s sympathetic stance becomes regrettable. By focusing on Ibn Saud’s achievements, the book overlooks some of the darker facets of his rule, most notably the continued institution of slavery in Saudi Arabia during his lifetime. For a man who fostered such close relationships with Western figures like William Shakespear, Percy Cox, and even U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt, it’s striking—and deeply troubling—that Ibn Saud seemed unfazed by the moral disdain Western societies held for slavery. Though he was progressive enough to introduce cars, radios, and television to his kingdom against the objections of his own clerics, he left this one glaring issue unexamined, even as he built alliances with societies that had long since rejected the practice. Yet, in this thorough work, the author relegates such a critical topic to a mere footnote, mentioning only that it was Ibn Saud’s son, King Faisal, who would finally outlaw slavery in 1967. This omission is all the more perplexing given the author’s strong critique of Western support for Israel, which is examined in far greater depth. Such selective scrutiny gives the sense of a conscious decision to shield Ibn Saud’s legacy from fuller, more uncomfortable truths.
All in all, this is a fascinating, impressively robust account of Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Faisal, known to history as Ibn Saud, founder of modern Saudi Arabia.
Against this unsettled backdrop rose Ibn Saud, a man of immense destiny. The son of Abdul Rahman, the last Emir of Nejd, who was forced to flee with his family under cover of night in 1891 to escape the advancing Rashid armies, that marked the collapse of the second Saudi state. Unlike his ancestors, who were brutally killed in the Ottoman-led destruction of the first Saudi state at Diriyah in 1818, Ibn Saud and his family survived thanks to the providence of Allah, which guided his family to a safe haven under the protection of the Emir of Kuwait. But Ibn Saud, then only 16, was no ordinary survivor. With an audacious belief in his destiny rivaling only that of the Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro, he undertook a daring night raid on Riyadh, the ancestral home of the House of Saud. With only a handful of men, he took the city by surprise, driving out the Rashidis and reestablishing Saudi rule in Nejd. The Arabian world had now met its bold, tall, and charismatic warrior.
In the years that followed, Ibn Saud eschewed the traditional inward-looking approach of other Arabian emirs. Instead, he embodied a form of Arab nationalism, viewing the Ottomans as invaders who needed to be pushed out for true Arab independence. Yet, unlike his ancestor Muhammad bin Saud—founder of the first Saudi state—who had unwisely challenged Ottoman control of Mecca and Medina, Ibn Saud recognized the need for a counterbalance and found it in the British. Through his pragmatism and mastery of realpolitik, he forged alliances, bided his time, and played various factions against one another, traits he likely learned from observing the machiavellian Emir of Kuwait, Mubarak. Westerners often misjudged him as a backward Wahhabi fanatic, failing to recognize his tactical brilliance and surprising political tolerance.
Patiently consolidating his power, Ibn Saud offered olive branches to conquered tribes and integrated defeated foes. After World War I, he finally took Al Shammar, home to his lifelong adversaries, the Rashidis. In characteristic Ibn Saud fashion, he rehabilitated the defeated Rashidis, incorporating them into his family and even marrying their widows. One of these women would later become the mother of Prince Abdullah, who ruled as King of Saudi Arabia in 2005.
Finally came the long-anticipated confrontation with Sharif Hussein and the Hashemites of Hejaz. Ibn Saud, ever calculating, waited until Sharif Hussein’s overreach lost him British support, at which point he swiftly moved in, conquering Hejaz and taking control of Mecca and Medina. In 1932, the nation of Saudi Arabia was born, with Ibn Saud—Emir of Nejd and Hejaz—now its king.
Indeed, Darlow’s portrayal is sympathetic and, at times, partial to Ibn Saud. The cynic in me doubts that Ibn Saud was purely a benevolent, strategic unifier. Surely there were less admirable episodes that the author chose to downplay. Nonetheless, what is beyond dispute is that Ibn Saud was a departure from the typical Bedouin chieftain of his time. His vision of Arabian nationalism at a time of deep tribal divisions speaks volumes about his unique outlook. Surprisingly progressive for a Wahhabi imam, Ibn Saud cautiously introduced modern inventions like radios, cars, and eventually television to Saudi Arabia, despite objections from conservative clerics.
This is where the author’s sympathetic stance becomes regrettable. By focusing on Ibn Saud’s achievements, the book overlooks some of the darker facets of his rule, most notably the continued institution of slavery in Saudi Arabia during his lifetime. For a man who fostered such close relationships with Western figures like William Shakespear, Percy Cox, and even U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt, it’s striking—and deeply troubling—that Ibn Saud seemed unfazed by the moral disdain Western societies held for slavery. Though he was progressive enough to introduce cars, radios, and television to his kingdom against the objections of his own clerics, he left this one glaring issue unexamined, even as he built alliances with societies that had long since rejected the practice. Yet, in this thorough work, the author relegates such a critical topic to a mere footnote, mentioning only that it was Ibn Saud’s son, King Faisal, who would finally outlaw slavery in 1967. This omission is all the more perplexing given the author’s strong critique of Western support for Israel, which is examined in far greater depth. Such selective scrutiny gives the sense of a conscious decision to shield Ibn Saud’s legacy from fuller, more uncomfortable truths.
All in all, this is a fascinating, impressively robust account of Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Faisal, known to history as Ibn Saud, founder of modern Saudi Arabia.
November 10, 2024
«از نظر فیزیکی و سیاسی یک غول بود. یک رهبر فوقالعاده که اخلاق بدوی را گرفت و آن را در فرقه اسلام وهابی پیچید.» اینها توصیفی است که رسانه امریکایی نشنالاینترست از عبدالعزیز آلسعود دارد. کسی که در ربع اول قرن بیستم، قبایل ناهمگون شبهجزیره عربستان را به هر طریق ممکن کنار هم قرار داد تا از تصویر جورچینی که از پیوند این قبایل در ظاهر ناهمگون پدید میآید کشوری متولد شود که امروز به نام عربستان سعودی میشناسیم. کشوری که حداقل برای ایرانیها نامی آشناست. رقیب منطقهای ایران که هرچند در همۀ سالهای اخیر روابطش با همسایۀ فارسزبان شمالشرقی بالا و پایینهایی داشته اما همیشه در یک رقابت دائمی با ایران بوده است.
فارغ از اینکه ما بهعنوان یک مخاطب ایرانی چه موضعی نسبت به عربستان سعودی داشته باشیم اما نمیتوان منکر این موضوع شد که عربستان سعودی نه تنها در جهان اسلام و منطقه بلکه در دنیا هم کشور مهمی محسوب میشود. این کشور نه تنها میزبان دو مکان مقدس مسلمانان است بلکه داعیۀ رهبری جریان اهلسنت را هم در جهان اسلام دارد. همۀ اینها سوای این موضوع است که این کشور متحد اصلی غرب و ایالات متحده امریکا در منطقه محسوب میشود. به همین جهت هم شناخت دقیق و جزئی از این کشور و تاریخ و ساختار سیاسی این کشور بخشی از شناخت غرب آسیا محسوب میشود.
به گفتۀ نشنالاینترسنت در نشناختن عربستان سعودی و بنیانگذارش همین بس که در عنوان کتاب عبارت ابنسعود منعکس شده که به معنای «پسر سعود» است اما در عربستان سعودی این فرد به عبدالعزیزبنسعود معروف است. به تعبیر این رسانه، مولفان کتاب به جهت رعایت حال مخاطب غربی ظاهراً تسلیم نامی شدند که بریتانیاییها به او اختصاص دادند. اینجاست که «بنسعود؛ جنگجوی صحرا و معمار پادشاهی عربستان» اهمیت خودش را نشان میدهد. یک خواننده انگلیسیزبان بعد از مطالعۀ کتاب ناظر به همین موضوع چنین نوشته است: «این بهترین منبعی است که عموماً در مورد تاریخ اولیه خاندان سعودی در قرن ۱۸ و ۱۹ در دسترس است یعنی زمانی که جنبش وهابی منشاء ایجاد کشور عربستان سعودی شد. این کتاب بیش از یک بیوگرافی ساده از ابن سعود است که البته زندگی شگفتانگیز و جسورانهای داشت. کتاب یک اثر ارزشمند در آداب و رسوم و سیاست عربستان از اواخر قرن نوزدهم تا اوایل قرن بیستم محسوب میشود.»
و اما مولفان عجیب کتاب
مولفان کتاب هم به اندازۀ خود سوژه جالب و شگفتانگیزند. روی کتاب نام دو نفر بهعنوان مولف و پدیدآورنده ذکر شده: مایکل دارلو و بارابارا بِرِی. جالب است بدانید که این دو نفر نه پژوهشگر تاریخ هستند نه استاد دانشگاه و آکادمیسین. دارلو یک تهیهکنندۀ و نویسنده تلویزیونی است که سالهای برای رادیو و تلویزیون انگلیس کار کرده است. او موفق به کسب جوایز متعددی هم برای کارهایش شده از بفتا تا گرمی! برای سلطان عمان هم فیلم مستند ساخته و در ادامه هم کتابی با عنوان آخرین گوشۀ عربستان منتشر کرده. خانم بری دیگر مولف کار هم از این قاعده مستثنی نیست.
خانم باربارا که البته حدود ۱۴ سالی است راهی دیار باقی شده مترجم و منتقد و فیلمنامهنویس و البته از کسانی بوده که به مانند دارلو کارش را با بیبیسی آغاز کرده. بنیانگذار عربستان سعودی و پدر پادشاه فعلی این کشور، مایکل و بارابارا را به یک پروژۀ مشترک رساند. باربارا در سال ۱۹۷۵ برای نوشتن یک فیلمنامه دربارۀ زندگی ابنسعود وارد تحقیق و همکاری با پروژه شد. فیلنامهای که البته ظاهراً تا لحظۀ نگارش این سطور به تولید فیلم ختم نشد و به بایگانی سپرده شده. این شکلی شد که مایکل دارلو و باربارا بری اطلاعات خودشان را در کنار هم گذاشتند تا تصویری از ابنسعود بسازند؛ رهبری که از بیابانهای عربستان مرکزی برخاست. کتاب در شبکه اجتماعی گودریدز که محل گپ و گعدۀ کتابخوانان از اقصی نقاط مختلف دنیاست امتیاز بسیار بالای ۴.۲ را از ۵ کسب کرده که امتیاز بالایی محسوب میشود. بررسی وضعیت استقبال از کتاب در سایت آمازون هم به نتیجۀ مشابهی ختم میشود: ۴.۴ از ۵.
پدر پادشاه عربستان زیر تیغ کالبدشکافی
تنه به تنۀ قصه
با وجود آنکه نسخۀ انگلیسی کتاب سالها قبل منتشر شده اما نسخۀ فارسی آن در ۱۴۰۲ راهی بازار نشر ایران شده. از همین جهت هم کمتر در رسانههای فارسی دربارۀ آن جرف زده شده است. همۀ اینها اما نشانۀ کماهمیتی این اثر نیست. کتاب ترجمۀ روان و بدون مشکلی دارد. نکتۀ مهم دیگر آنکه مولفان سعی کردهاند به زبان روایی، مادۀ سخت تاریخ را بازگو کنند. به همین جهت هم سیر تاریخی آن توی چشم نمیزند. همچنین به همین جهت هم کتاب به سمت گزارشی نرم از تاریخ میل میکند که زبان آن را به زبان یک اثر قصهگو تبدیل میکند. «بنسعود» شخصیت عبدالعزیز آلسعود که علاوه بر بنیانگذار بودن کشور عربستان سعودی، پدر ملکسلمان پادشاه فعلی عربستان هم محسوب میشود وسط میدان قرار داده و سایه به سایه او و اقداماتش را دنبال میکند.
از زمانی که کودکی بیش نبود و بهدلیل رقابت بر سر حکمرانی محل، خانه و کاخشان محل تاخت و تاز رقیب محلی در شمال ریاض قرار گرفت و بنسعود به همراه دیگر اعضای خانواده مجبور به هجرت به کویت و حاشیه جنوبی خلیج فارس شد تا دمخور بودنش با جکمران وقت کویت و آشنایی با مامور سیاسی سفارت بریتانیا در کویت و تبدیل شدنشان به رفقای گرمابه و گلستان و در ادامه هم پیمان دو جانبه با علمای وهابی منطقه و نزاع با رقبای داخلی عربستان مرکزی و غلبه بر دیگر قبایل و قوی شدن ارتباطات با بریتانیا علیه امپراطوری عثمانی و فتح حجاز و در نهایت هم کشف نفت و آغاز دوران عصر ارتباط سعودی با ایالات متحده امریکا و مقامات کاخ سفید که سنگ بنای رابطهای را گذاشتند که تا امروز هم ادامه داشته است.
یک نکتۀ دیگر آنکه کتاب با همۀ ارزشمندی اما سمپات ملایم مثبتی نسبت به شخصیت عبدالعزیز دارد. به همین جهت هم تعامل عبدالعزیز و سلسلهای که بنیانگذاری کرد با دیگر فرق اسلامی داخل شبهجزیرۀ عربستان و اعمال سختگیریهای خشن نسبت به آنها یا روایت نشده یا ملایم شده. موضوعی که البته برای مخاطبی که کتاب را مطالعه میکند تا حدی قابل لمس و حس است. از این جهت اما باید رعایت جانبداری ملایم اثر نسبت به سوژۀ خود را در نظر داشت اما این نقد هم چیزی از رزشمندی کلی کتاب کم نمیکند.
کتاب «بنسعود؛ جنگجوی صحرا و معمار پادشاهی عربستان» به قلم مایکل دارلو و باربارا بری و ترجمۀ خوب کیهان بهمنی و به سعی انتشارات کتابسرای تندیس راهی بازار نشر شده است.
فارغ از اینکه ما بهعنوان یک مخاطب ایرانی چه موضعی نسبت به عربستان سعودی داشته باشیم اما نمیتوان منکر این موضوع شد که عربستان سعودی نه تنها در جهان اسلام و منطقه بلکه در دنیا هم کشور مهمی محسوب میشود. این کشور نه تنها میزبان دو مکان مقدس مسلمانان است بلکه داعیۀ رهبری جریان اهلسنت را هم در جهان اسلام دارد. همۀ اینها سوای این موضوع است که این کشور متحد اصلی غرب و ایالات متحده امریکا در منطقه محسوب میشود. به همین جهت هم شناخت دقیق و جزئی از این کشور و تاریخ و ساختار سیاسی این کشور بخشی از شناخت غرب آسیا محسوب میشود.
به گفتۀ نشنالاینترسنت در نشناختن عربستان سعودی و بنیانگذارش همین بس که در عنوان کتاب عبارت ابنسعود منعکس شده که به معنای «پسر سعود» است اما در عربستان سعودی این فرد به عبدالعزیزبنسعود معروف است. به تعبیر این رسانه، مولفان کتاب به جهت رعایت حال مخاطب غربی ظاهراً تسلیم نامی شدند که بریتانیاییها به او اختصاص دادند. اینجاست که «بنسعود؛ جنگجوی صحرا و معمار پادشاهی عربستان» اهمیت خودش را نشان میدهد. یک خواننده انگلیسیزبان بعد از مطالعۀ کتاب ناظر به همین موضوع چنین نوشته است: «این بهترین منبعی است که عموماً در مورد تاریخ اولیه خاندان سعودی در قرن ۱۸ و ۱۹ در دسترس است یعنی زمانی که جنبش وهابی منشاء ایجاد کشور عربستان سعودی شد. این کتاب بیش از یک بیوگرافی ساده از ابن سعود است که البته زندگی شگفتانگیز و جسورانهای داشت. کتاب یک اثر ارزشمند در آداب و رسوم و سیاست عربستان از اواخر قرن نوزدهم تا اوایل قرن بیستم محسوب میشود.»
و اما مولفان عجیب کتاب
مولفان کتاب هم به اندازۀ خود سوژه جالب و شگفتانگیزند. روی کتاب نام دو نفر بهعنوان مولف و پدیدآورنده ذکر شده: مایکل دارلو و بارابارا بِرِی. جالب است بدانید که این دو نفر نه پژوهشگر تاریخ هستند نه استاد دانشگاه و آکادمیسین. دارلو یک تهیهکنندۀ و نویسنده تلویزیونی است که سالهای برای رادیو و تلویزیون انگلیس کار کرده است. او موفق به کسب جوایز متعددی هم برای کارهایش شده از بفتا تا گرمی! برای سلطان عمان هم فیلم مستند ساخته و در ادامه هم کتابی با عنوان آخرین گوشۀ عربستان منتشر کرده. خانم بری دیگر مولف کار هم از این قاعده مستثنی نیست.
خانم باربارا که البته حدود ۱۴ سالی است راهی دیار باقی شده مترجم و منتقد و فیلمنامهنویس و البته از کسانی بوده که به مانند دارلو کارش را با بیبیسی آغاز کرده. بنیانگذار عربستان سعودی و پدر پادشاه فعلی این کشور، مایکل و بارابارا را به یک پروژۀ مشترک رساند. باربارا در سال ۱۹۷۵ برای نوشتن یک فیلمنامه دربارۀ زندگی ابنسعود وارد تحقیق و همکاری با پروژه شد. فیلنامهای که البته ظاهراً تا لحظۀ نگارش این سطور به تولید فیلم ختم نشد و به بایگانی سپرده شده. این شکلی شد که مایکل دارلو و باربارا بری اطلاعات خودشان را در کنار هم گذاشتند تا تصویری از ابنسعود بسازند؛ رهبری که از بیابانهای عربستان مرکزی برخاست. کتاب در شبکه اجتماعی گودریدز که محل گپ و گعدۀ کتابخوانان از اقصی نقاط مختلف دنیاست امتیاز بسیار بالای ۴.۲ را از ۵ کسب کرده که امتیاز بالایی محسوب میشود. بررسی وضعیت استقبال از کتاب در سایت آمازون هم به نتیجۀ مشابهی ختم میشود: ۴.۴ از ۵.
پدر پادشاه عربستان زیر تیغ کالبدشکافی
تنه به تنۀ قصه
با وجود آنکه نسخۀ انگلیسی کتاب سالها قبل منتشر شده اما نسخۀ فارسی آن در ۱۴۰۲ راهی بازار نشر ایران شده. از همین جهت هم کمتر در رسانههای فارسی دربارۀ آن جرف زده شده است. همۀ اینها اما نشانۀ کماهمیتی این اثر نیست. کتاب ترجمۀ روان و بدون مشکلی دارد. نکتۀ مهم دیگر آنکه مولفان سعی کردهاند به زبان روایی، مادۀ سخت تاریخ را بازگو کنند. به همین جهت هم سیر تاریخی آن توی چشم نمیزند. همچنین به همین جهت هم کتاب به سمت گزارشی نرم از تاریخ میل میکند که زبان آن را به زبان یک اثر قصهگو تبدیل میکند. «بنسعود» شخصیت عبدالعزیز آلسعود که علاوه بر بنیانگذار بودن کشور عربستان سعودی، پدر ملکسلمان پادشاه فعلی عربستان هم محسوب میشود وسط میدان قرار داده و سایه به سایه او و اقداماتش را دنبال میکند.
از زمانی که کودکی بیش نبود و بهدلیل رقابت بر سر حکمرانی محل، خانه و کاخشان محل تاخت و تاز رقیب محلی در شمال ریاض قرار گرفت و بنسعود به همراه دیگر اعضای خانواده مجبور به هجرت به کویت و حاشیه جنوبی خلیج فارس شد تا دمخور بودنش با جکمران وقت کویت و آشنایی با مامور سیاسی سفارت بریتانیا در کویت و تبدیل شدنشان به رفقای گرمابه و گلستان و در ادامه هم پیمان دو جانبه با علمای وهابی منطقه و نزاع با رقبای داخلی عربستان مرکزی و غلبه بر دیگر قبایل و قوی شدن ارتباطات با بریتانیا علیه امپراطوری عثمانی و فتح حجاز و در نهایت هم کشف نفت و آغاز دوران عصر ارتباط سعودی با ایالات متحده امریکا و مقامات کاخ سفید که سنگ بنای رابطهای را گذاشتند که تا امروز هم ادامه داشته است.
یک نکتۀ دیگر آنکه کتاب با همۀ ارزشمندی اما سمپات ملایم مثبتی نسبت به شخصیت عبدالعزیز دارد. به همین جهت هم تعامل عبدالعزیز و سلسلهای که بنیانگذاری کرد با دیگر فرق اسلامی داخل شبهجزیرۀ عربستان و اعمال سختگیریهای خشن نسبت به آنها یا روایت نشده یا ملایم شده. موضوعی که البته برای مخاطبی که کتاب را مطالعه میکند تا حدی قابل لمس و حس است. از این جهت اما باید رعایت جانبداری ملایم اثر نسبت به سوژۀ خود را در نظر داشت اما این نقد هم چیزی از رزشمندی کلی کتاب کم نمیکند.
کتاب «بنسعود؛ جنگجوی صحرا و معمار پادشاهی عربستان» به قلم مایکل دارلو و باربارا بری و ترجمۀ خوب کیهان بهمنی و به سعی انتشارات کتابسرای تندیس راهی بازار نشر شده است.
July 22, 2018
I bought this book for my husband, who has met Ibn Saud and is the author of several books that entail Saudi history. I became quite fascinated with it, myself, having lived in the Kingdom for several years. I have a great respect for the true Islam and its followers, of which Ibn Saud was surely one!
March 16, 2015
This book is great for anyone who is interested in Saudi Arabia or the middle east in general. The story of Ibn Saud and the founding of the Saudi state is a very interesting one. It also offers a different way to think about the region besides the normal way of thinking found in the west.
April 25, 2015
A detailed and fantastic biography of the founder of modern Saudi Arabia.
September 3, 2015
A crash course on Arabian history presented through a wonderful telling of one man's story.
February 6, 2017
The writing is very clunky in places.
July 28, 2018
I loved it at the start. So much relevant information. Then it got to be loooong by the time it ended, I was ready.
May 26, 2018
One of the most detailed biographies of the famous founder of Saudi Arabia, this book provides an interesting insight into the history of Saudi Arabia and the challenges Ibn Saud had to face in maintaining the sovereignty of the state. What struck me the most was the balance Ibn Saud had to maintain between the Ikhwan and the state. Ibu Saud was born when his family line was in a long-standing conflict with the Rashids, and he had to employ the help of a fundamentalist military organization, the Ikhwan, in order to hold them back. Eventually, he succeeded in defeating the Rashids and uniting the four distinct regions (Najd, Hejaz, Eastern and Southern Arabia), but ultraconservative Wahhabi values still remained in the country. Directly after her unification, Saudi Arabia began to face financial problems, exacerbated by corruption in the Saudi royal family. This is where things get pretty weird. Ibn Saud justified his extravagant lifestyle, saying that he embodied the state. However, the hoarding of funds by the royal family, leaving none to trickle down to the poor, is obviously contrary to the tenants of Islam and what the Qu'ran preached! Meanwhile, fundamentalist ideals still remained in the country, burying liberal ideas in obscurity.
In a way, WWII was beneficial to Saudi Arabia. It remained officially neutral when the war broke out, but soon Americans were paying a hefty sum to Saudi's coffers for its oil. It thus became an indispensable ally of the US and UK. In a way, the Kingdom's financial problems were not solved by 'draining the swamp' of the Saudi administration. Rather, they were solved because the US needed oil for the bombers in WWII. In a way, Ibn Saud 'lucked' out. It is uncertain if Saudi Arabia would have survived without its natural resources, but it is fair to say that its developments would have been far slower, especially considering that subsequent modernization of the Kingdom relied heavily on wartime oil funding.
Ibn Saud efforts were significantly limited in stemming the tide of religious conservatism following the founding of Saudi Arabia. Whereas he had put down rebellions of Ikhwan raiders before (mostly because they have raided between Iraq's and Saudi's neutral zone), after the founding of Saudi Arabia, his health seriously declined and his efforts to stem the tide of religious conservatism were paltry, at best. Later on, after his death, Saudi Arabia began clamping down on religious conservatism, but suffice it to say that modern developments, such as radio, TV, cars, high-rise buildings were resented and hampered by many that had fought in the Ikhwan rebellion. Better return to the tribal life, they protest, then live a life of decadence, materialism and moral floundering.
In a way, Saudi Arabia's history is an appeasing act. Throughout their history, they constantly had to appease imperial powers and Ikhwan raiders. Their reliance on the Ikhwan mandated it to be so. The rise of Wahhabi's religious tenets, therefore, cannot be associated with Ibn Saud's incompetence. However, in recent years, as a wave of populism and Western ideals spread throughout the Middle East, Saudi Arabia had begun to liberalize. Municipal elections have been held and when a police attempted to stop women from escaping a burning building (because they were not veiled), the kingdom condemned the police.
While we shouldn't tolerate human rights abuses and violations of freedom, we should consider the historical perspective that had lead Saudi Arabia to become the state it is. Western powers shouldn't be so quick to judge the development of Middle Eastern states. Keep in mind that practices that we see as barbaric today were practiced in Europe and United States as recently as 300 years ago. In the US, women weren't allowed to vote until the 19th Amendment to the constitution! As for Ibn Saud himself, I certainly can't judge him as a character, as I have not been into battle and am (obviously) inexperienced in leading a nation. But his biography remains one of the most fascinating I've ever read, and I can't help but wonder what kind of life he led in the vast oceans of desert, both as a warrior and politician.
In a way, WWII was beneficial to Saudi Arabia. It remained officially neutral when the war broke out, but soon Americans were paying a hefty sum to Saudi's coffers for its oil. It thus became an indispensable ally of the US and UK. In a way, the Kingdom's financial problems were not solved by 'draining the swamp' of the Saudi administration. Rather, they were solved because the US needed oil for the bombers in WWII. In a way, Ibn Saud 'lucked' out. It is uncertain if Saudi Arabia would have survived without its natural resources, but it is fair to say that its developments would have been far slower, especially considering that subsequent modernization of the Kingdom relied heavily on wartime oil funding.
Ibn Saud efforts were significantly limited in stemming the tide of religious conservatism following the founding of Saudi Arabia. Whereas he had put down rebellions of Ikhwan raiders before (mostly because they have raided between Iraq's and Saudi's neutral zone), after the founding of Saudi Arabia, his health seriously declined and his efforts to stem the tide of religious conservatism were paltry, at best. Later on, after his death, Saudi Arabia began clamping down on religious conservatism, but suffice it to say that modern developments, such as radio, TV, cars, high-rise buildings were resented and hampered by many that had fought in the Ikhwan rebellion. Better return to the tribal life, they protest, then live a life of decadence, materialism and moral floundering.
In a way, Saudi Arabia's history is an appeasing act. Throughout their history, they constantly had to appease imperial powers and Ikhwan raiders. Their reliance on the Ikhwan mandated it to be so. The rise of Wahhabi's religious tenets, therefore, cannot be associated with Ibn Saud's incompetence. However, in recent years, as a wave of populism and Western ideals spread throughout the Middle East, Saudi Arabia had begun to liberalize. Municipal elections have been held and when a police attempted to stop women from escaping a burning building (because they were not veiled), the kingdom condemned the police.
While we shouldn't tolerate human rights abuses and violations of freedom, we should consider the historical perspective that had lead Saudi Arabia to become the state it is. Western powers shouldn't be so quick to judge the development of Middle Eastern states. Keep in mind that practices that we see as barbaric today were practiced in Europe and United States as recently as 300 years ago. In the US, women weren't allowed to vote until the 19th Amendment to the constitution! As for Ibn Saud himself, I certainly can't judge him as a character, as I have not been into battle and am (obviously) inexperienced in leading a nation. But his biography remains one of the most fascinating I've ever read, and I can't help but wonder what kind of life he led in the vast oceans of desert, both as a warrior and politician.
October 22, 2025
I loved a large portion of this book. In fact, the first half, I enjoyed immensely and I thought the author did a fantastic job of making the story incredibly engaging through the personal story of what happened to Ibn Saud’s family in exile. Plus mixing in a full history, both geologically and anthropologically, of the region helped provide a rich context for the overall narrative.
However, where things took a turn for me, is that the book presents an incredibly one-sided and at times factually inaccurate portrayal of what took place with the formation of Israel. The author takes a very clear position against the Jewish people and the state of Israel itself, and that bias rears its head again and again. It makes sense given he’s a far-left progressive from the UK that publicly engaged in protest campaigns and cultural boycotts related to Israeli cultural/political institutions (e.g., signing a letter objecting to the invitation of an Israeli theatre group on grounds of “occupation”). He views himself as a British anti-colonist, which is deeply ironic, and that “white guilt” seems directed at Israel in this story, while his sympathies seem to align with the Arab world instead. He asks the reader to have compassion for the Arab world and their human rights violations because they need more time to “adjust” similar to how slow the US and UK were to embrace suffrage and racial integration. Then, in the same breath he condemns Israel as settlers, despite opening the book with a history lesson that places the Jews in Jerusalem and throughout the region long before Islam existed.
What was hardest for me was the factual inaccuracies about things like the Six Day War and Yom Kippur War that made me question many other aspects of the book and what other artistic liberties the author might be taking in portraying the history and formation of Saudi Arabia.
Overall, I find it a fascinating read about a region of the world that I want to understand better. I think it’s important to read a multitude of perspectives before accepting a single perspective as “fact.” I also value reading a perspective I disagree with so I can better understand it and their author definitely delivered on that here.
However, where things took a turn for me, is that the book presents an incredibly one-sided and at times factually inaccurate portrayal of what took place with the formation of Israel. The author takes a very clear position against the Jewish people and the state of Israel itself, and that bias rears its head again and again. It makes sense given he’s a far-left progressive from the UK that publicly engaged in protest campaigns and cultural boycotts related to Israeli cultural/political institutions (e.g., signing a letter objecting to the invitation of an Israeli theatre group on grounds of “occupation”). He views himself as a British anti-colonist, which is deeply ironic, and that “white guilt” seems directed at Israel in this story, while his sympathies seem to align with the Arab world instead. He asks the reader to have compassion for the Arab world and their human rights violations because they need more time to “adjust” similar to how slow the US and UK were to embrace suffrage and racial integration. Then, in the same breath he condemns Israel as settlers, despite opening the book with a history lesson that places the Jews in Jerusalem and throughout the region long before Islam existed.
What was hardest for me was the factual inaccuracies about things like the Six Day War and Yom Kippur War that made me question many other aspects of the book and what other artistic liberties the author might be taking in portraying the history and formation of Saudi Arabia.
Overall, I find it a fascinating read about a region of the world that I want to understand better. I think it’s important to read a multitude of perspectives before accepting a single perspective as “fact.” I also value reading a perspective I disagree with so I can better understand it and their author definitely delivered on that here.
March 17, 2018
I've been working on this one for quite a while. It's a bit of a slog for folks who aren't really into biography. I have to say that in general, I'm not terribly interested in learning about the cultures of other societies, except sometimes by way of putting society as a whole into context, or when dealing with truly antique ways of life (as which Bedouin nomadism may well qualify).
But I am interested in the geopolitics of the world and of the Middle East, and I am interested in the petroeconomy. So I accepted a loan of this book from my parents a few months ago and set out to work my way through it.
The story is actually fairly interesting, although I have issues with the way it's told. The authors are a bit obsequious in their praise of Ibn Saud, and effusive in their praise for the Bedouin way of life, as violent and impoverished as it is. They do at least manage to express, subtly, a view that the Saud family's arrangement with the Ikhwan Wahhabis was somewhat a devil's bargain. Nonetheless, Ibn Saud was a remarkable leader, at least in his youth, and uniting the Arabian peninsula was a spectacular achievement, especially given the machinations of the world powers intent on controlling the region.
I think the book could have benefited from some tighter editing. At 567 pages, plus bibliography and index, it's challenging enough without all the repetition and superfluous exposition. At times, especially in the first few chapters, the authors will find two or three different ways to say the same thing over the course of a single paragraph.
But the battle scenes are rousing enough, and of course the WWI and WWII campaigns are grandly cinematic (and are informative enough for folks whose focus was on Europe and the Pacific when initially learning about them). And a lively subplot involving British Arabist and explorer William Shakespear lends considerable interest. Definitely check this out if you're a history buff, but be prepared to self-administer in small doses over a period of weeks.
But I am interested in the geopolitics of the world and of the Middle East, and I am interested in the petroeconomy. So I accepted a loan of this book from my parents a few months ago and set out to work my way through it.
The story is actually fairly interesting, although I have issues with the way it's told. The authors are a bit obsequious in their praise of Ibn Saud, and effusive in their praise for the Bedouin way of life, as violent and impoverished as it is. They do at least manage to express, subtly, a view that the Saud family's arrangement with the Ikhwan Wahhabis was somewhat a devil's bargain. Nonetheless, Ibn Saud was a remarkable leader, at least in his youth, and uniting the Arabian peninsula was a spectacular achievement, especially given the machinations of the world powers intent on controlling the region.
I think the book could have benefited from some tighter editing. At 567 pages, plus bibliography and index, it's challenging enough without all the repetition and superfluous exposition. At times, especially in the first few chapters, the authors will find two or three different ways to say the same thing over the course of a single paragraph.
But the battle scenes are rousing enough, and of course the WWI and WWII campaigns are grandly cinematic (and are informative enough for folks whose focus was on Europe and the Pacific when initially learning about them). And a lively subplot involving British Arabist and explorer William Shakespear lends considerable interest. Definitely check this out if you're a history buff, but be prepared to self-administer in small doses over a period of weeks.
January 23, 2020
Hailing from the inhospitable desert of Arab peninsula, Ibn Saud was the founder of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A hardy warrior, astute statesman and shrewd politician, he managed to cater to the traditionalist wahhabists while understanding the need to modernise the country and the futility of standing against any kind of progress. Beginning with fighting tribal bedouin feuds, Ibn Saud ended up as a masterful puppet master, playing between the interests of foreign powers, first between Ottoman and British, and later America. The boons of oil not only brought out riches unimaginable before for Ibn Saud and his huge, ever expanding family, but also numerous accounts of discontentment within society. Although himself was an austere and pious man, his pampering of his sons, especially with his newfound wealth, coupled with his insistence with traditional way of ruling the country, brought troubles for his successors in the future. Saudi Arabia’s future under Ibn Saud’s successors was also discussed, when the need of balancing between traditionalists and reformists become more important than ever, and also Saudi Arabia’s place in world politics and its continuing relationship with United States. An interesting and eye-opening book, this one.
June 14, 2022
Well-written story that gives clarity to the origins of modern Saudi Arabia. I really appreciated the sympathetic treatment of Wahabi Islam and the need for the Saudi monarchs to placate the different streams of Islamic thought within the Kingdom. I did not know much about the house of Saud before this book.
Nevertheless, I have one complaint regarding this book, albeit a significant one that surfaces throughout the narrative: the authors give a romantic gloss to many aspects of their story. They criticize the modern industrialization of the Kingdom and suggest that the nomadic Bedouin way of life is superior (despite its being more violent and shorter). They romanticize some of Ibn Saud's more unsavory character traits, such as his hunger for power and his massive harem. Moreover, the authors regularly compare the supposed intolerance and unscientific "Dark Ages" to the glories of Islamic science and tolerance of Al-Andalus. As modern scholarship has dispelled myths surrounding both the "Dark Ages" and Al-Andalus, I began to grow suspicious of the romantic spin placed upon this narrative.
Nevertheless, I have one complaint regarding this book, albeit a significant one that surfaces throughout the narrative: the authors give a romantic gloss to many aspects of their story. They criticize the modern industrialization of the Kingdom and suggest that the nomadic Bedouin way of life is superior (despite its being more violent and shorter). They romanticize some of Ibn Saud's more unsavory character traits, such as his hunger for power and his massive harem. Moreover, the authors regularly compare the supposed intolerance and unscientific "Dark Ages" to the glories of Islamic science and tolerance of Al-Andalus. As modern scholarship has dispelled myths surrounding both the "Dark Ages" and Al-Andalus, I began to grow suspicious of the romantic spin placed upon this narrative.
June 12, 2019
Illuminating history of Saudi Arabia as told thru the biography of Ibn Saud who forged the modern state we know today. A shrewd leader who balanced the competing interests of the European powers, the Ottoman Empire, and eventually America while forging a state from competing tribal and regional entities....usually by force but also through wise leadership and a dedication to Wahhabism. Just as interesting were the final chapters focused on his successors and the halting steps to become a modern state while adhering to the sometimes conflicting priorities of fundamental Islam. Fascinating read.
January 8, 2025
Just finished this extraordinarily written book about an extraordinary character. Today when we hear of Saudi Arabia we envy their luck to be able to sit on more than 20% of the world's oil resources, but the individual who built that kingdom fought through extreme hardship - often with scarce resources and hence had to rely on his charisma to bind the Bedouin tribes together. And all those decades of struggle without any idea of oil- the story of which starts much later.
Best parts for me were the rich description of the original desert nomadic life, the hearts and minds of the Bedouin and the initial battles.
Best parts for me were the rich description of the original desert nomadic life, the hearts and minds of the Bedouin and the initial battles.
November 5, 2019
Excellent biography of Ibn Saud, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia. The book reads like a novel, and includes important personal events and cultural explanations that help one not just understand the story of Ibn Saud, but the foundations of modern Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the book starts by summarizing Arabia's history prior to Ibn Saud, and ends with a long chapter summarizing developments since Ibn Saud's death in 1953 and up to about 2010. Highly recommended for anyone wishing to understand modern Saudi Arabia and its history.
June 7, 2022
The book has covered most of the events which contributed to the evolution of the Middle East from an ancient society of nomads to a twenty first century modern civilization. The authors have meticulously portraid the involvement of the Western world in the process. The book is a good read to understand the culture, history and the political outlook of the Saudi rulers towards the issues around the world but particularly in the Middle East and at the same time described the process of dealing with them. Have enjoyed reading it.
August 20, 2024
Very interesting historical read that is described in an engaging way so as not to be too boring. While titled as a story about Ibn Saud, the author does a fantastic job of explaining the background history of Arabia for context. The story also continues into the history of Saudi Arabia in the time after his death. I think the author did a great job of telling this story in a critical and understanding way of Islam and Wahhabism. Definitely the book I’d recommend to anyone whose interesting in the history of Saudi Arabia.
May 6, 2024
This is a deeply interesting, balanced, and engaging book. It reignited my love for history thanks to its engaging narrative style. It also introduced me to the history and culture of a relatively new nation which has had a huge impact on our current, modern day society. If you're interested in this part of the world, then I would definitely make room for Darlow's excellent book in your reading list.
January 14, 2025
Sprawling and engaging story of a conquerer who leveraged charisma and military prowess.
Undoubtedly a close inspiration for Dune, from the physical power of revolution provided by desert tribes, a resource that simultaneously drugs and enriches the life of a people, a son that avenges his family’s fall from the throne…
All around, more entertaining than fiction, with many lessons to learn on leadership, self discipline, generosity, and loyalty.
Undoubtedly a close inspiration for Dune, from the physical power of revolution provided by desert tribes, a resource that simultaneously drugs and enriches the life of a people, a son that avenges his family’s fall from the throne…
All around, more entertaining than fiction, with many lessons to learn on leadership, self discipline, generosity, and loyalty.
May 18, 2018
Interesting read
Even though, I am associated with Saudi Arabia for more than 30 years now, I learnt a lot on the early days of Abdel Azziz from this book.
I felt that the Epilogue chapter was unnecessary. This is rehash of current events, which majority of the readers are already aware of.
Even though, I am associated with Saudi Arabia for more than 30 years now, I learnt a lot on the early days of Abdel Azziz from this book.
I felt that the Epilogue chapter was unnecessary. This is rehash of current events, which majority of the readers are already aware of.
September 24, 2018
Among the best books I've read.
The book has a great flow, and is very informative. It paints a very good picture of who was Abdualziz, where he came from, and how Saudi Arabia came to be what it is known today.
This is a relatively long book ~550 pages, however it flows so well and was so enjoyable for me to read
Definitely recommended !!
The book has a great flow, and is very informative. It paints a very good picture of who was Abdualziz, where he came from, and how Saudi Arabia came to be what it is known today.
This is a relatively long book ~550 pages, however it flows so well and was so enjoyable for me to read
Definitely recommended !!
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