Reviews (8)

Brilliantwork; fair & interesting; although the title is wrong.
This has to be the best 'mormon' book that I've read in years. It was fascinating to see the normal, everyday, working life of many of the church's big names, McKay plus others like Benson, Lee, J F Smith, Moyle and many others. The authors do a good job in showing the integrity of church leaders as well as their normal human frailties, like McKay's Scottish stubbornness or Benson's practically fanatical opposition to communism; as well as the every-day worldly problems like the building committee nearly bankrupting the church and its subsequent rescue by professionals from the building industry.
Fascinating, compelling history dealing drawing on novel sources and illuminating essential episodes in LDS history
This volume ranks among the most insightful works on the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that I have encountered. Prince and Wright, the authors, are both active members of the LDS Church, but they subscribe to B. H. Roberts' belief that "the only way [to be historically exact and not to destroy faith] is to frankly state events as they occurred...being confident that in the sum of things justice will follow truth." They draw on thousands of pages of novel material: David O. McKay's diaries, extensive scrapbooks kept by his secretary, and hundreds of interviews. (I was surprised to encounter an extensive quote from my own grandfather, who worked with David O. McKay concerning LDS financial issues.)
Excellent LDS history
Prince and Wright have done a masterful job of writing a topical history of the presidency of David O. McKay. While there may be little interest in this book by those who do not study the workings and history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for those of us who do, it is a totally fascinating book.
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Subjects:  1. 1873-1970    2. 20th century    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Christianity - Christian Life - General    5. Christianity - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Da    6. Church of Jesus Christ of Latt    7. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints    8. Devotional    9. General    10. History    11. McKay, David Oman,    12. Religion    13. Religion - World Religions    14. Religion / Mormonism   

Editorial Review

What is it about the inhospitable corners of the world that so attracts the imagination?Scott in the Antarctic, Hillary on top of Everest, and a multitude of wanderers--from WilfredThesiger and T. E. Lawrence to Gertrude Bell--wandering through the vast, empty sands of"the empty quarter" in what is now Saudi Arabia; each of these explorers has beendrawn to places most of us would never think of going and found there an unexpected window ontotheir own souls. In Read more

Reviews (20)

Technology makes it easy
I basically enjoyed THE ROAD TO UBAR..This book tells of Nicholas Clapp's trip to Arabia to try to locate the ruins of the legendary city of Ubar, which supposedly was destroyed by the deity in retaliation for the inhabitants' sinful ways.Clapp's job is made rather easy by getting the sympathy and support of someone in satellite technology, who locates likely locations from space.The site is found relatively easily and almost immediately comfirmed.
... Adventurer's Little Adventure
Wonderful book.Read it all in a couple of days.Great read to get away from the everyday.A thorough enjoyment!

The kind of story movies are made of
It wouldn't surprise me if a hollywood producer (Steven Spielberg perhaps?) decided to make a movie of this fantastic book--it's got adventure, mystery, discovery, a lost city, and interesting characters.And to top it off, it's absolutely true!This real-life "Indiana Jones" adventure will draw you in and not let go until the very last page.It's amazing that, a mere 10 years ago, a rather eclectic bunch consisting of an archaeologist, a geologist, and adventurer, and a documentary filmaker (the author and "hero" of the story) set off to find a lost city, one that, up until then, existed only in myth and legend.Through the use of NASA radar imagery, Nicholas Clapp was able to find the road to Ubar--a long, trampled path that snaked around the sand dunes of modern day Saudia Arabia and Oman, once used by thousands of camel caravans carrying precious incense from Ubar.Clapp and crew eventually do find the lost city, buried deep beneath the sands.It's a reminder to us all how quickly history can disappear beneath the sands of time.Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Archaeology    3. Archaeology / Anthropology    4. Excavations (Archaeology)    5. Oman    6. Special Interest - Adventure    7. Travel    8. Ubar (Extinct city)    9. History / Ancient / General    10. Middle & Near Eastern archaeology    11. Travel writing    12. History    13. Adventure   

Subjects:  1. Army.    2. Dhofar War, 1964-1976    3. Europe - Great Britain - General    4. Great Britain.    5. History    6. History - Military / War    7. Jeapes, Tony    8. Middle East - General    9. Military    10. Military - Other    11. Military - World War II    12. Oman    13. Personal narratives, British    14. Special Air Service Regiment, 22nd    15. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    16. History / General    17. Special & elite forces   

Reviews (1)

A dry, technical, but thorough treatment
This book is part of a series, all by the same author, which altogether covers the military situation of the Arabian peninsula (excluding Yemen).This particular volume is divided in sections by country, and covershistory, the current military situation, and internal security issues(i.e., police, internal intelligence agencies, and likelihood of domesticunrest).It's in the style of a technical report;few people would findit to be "fun reading," nor was it intended to be.I wasdisappointed that on the topic of UAE internal security, the seven emiratesof the UAE were lumped together;it would have been interesting to learnmore about the differences in policing and internal security among thevarious UAE jurisdictions.Nevertheless, this volume covers the minorcountries of the Gulf Region with a thoroughness and degree of detail thatis not equaled by anything else that's in print. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Defenses    2. General    3. History    4. History: World    5. Middle East - General    6. National security    7. Persian Gulf States    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Strategic aspects   

Subjects:  1. 1860-1939    2. 20th century    3. Christianity - General    4. Christianity - Theology - General    5. God    6. God (Christianity)    7. God (Theology)    8. History of doctrines    9. Individual Theologians And Their Works (General)    10. Oman, John,    11. Religion    12. Religion - Theology    13. Christian theology    14. Nature & existence of God    15. Oman, John    16. Oman, John,--1860-1939    17. Religion / Christianity    18. Religion / Theology    19. Religion-Christianity - General   

Subjects:  1. Arabia, Southern    2. History    3. International Relations - General    4. Political Science    5. Politics - Current Events    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Politics and government    8. Politics/International Relations    9. International relations    10. Oman    11. Political Science / International Relations    12. Saudi Arabia    13. Yemen   

Reviews (7)

Interesting study of early development in Oman
This book reports on two short field studies done by a female Norwegian anthropologist in Sohar, Oman in the mid-1970s. The book mostly focuses on the relationship of women to their families and marriage roles. Her descriptions of women's lives in this community in Oman just after the country opened up to foreigners are extremely interesting, as the society has no doubt changed dramatically along with the economic transformations. The community that she describes is unique in their emphasis on nonverbal means of communication. Indeed, one of the author's main points is that people researching cultures must be alert to all forms of communication, not simply verbal forms. The author is careful throughout to stress that her observations are those of an outsider trying to comprehend what she observes. Naturally, it would also be very interesting to get an insider's viewpoint for comparison, but for a number of reasons, this was not possible at the time, and now the society she describes probably no longer exists in the same form. I would recommend this book to anyone studying history of society or development in Oman or the Gulf countries. It would also be interesting for those studying gender roles in the Muslim or Arab worlds.
A lot of information, but difficult to read.
This book was well researched and well written, but the author's opinions are strongly felt throughout the entire book. The author's voice is also somewhat condescending. While I did learn a little bit about Arab women in general and women in Oman in particular, a much broader sample of women's lives in Arab countries is found in "Price of Honor" by Jan Goodwin. Also the information in Ms. Goodwin's book was researched for several years in the 90's, whereas Ms. Wikan's book is based upon only 9 months of living in Oman during the 1970's.

Interesting reading but need to encompass all women of Oman
This book focuses on the women of Sohar so it should be entitled Behind the Veil: Women of Sohar because I know personally of Omanis and not all women are dressed nor act in this manner. It is interesting reading but needed more pictures, especially in color. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Feminism & Feminist Theory    2. History - General History    3. Marriage    4. Middle East - General    5. Oman    6. Sex customs    7. Sociology    8. Sociology Of Women    9. Suhar    10. Women    11. òSuòhåar    12. Feminism    13. Middle East    14. Social Science / Feminism & Feminist Theory   

Subjects:  1. History - General History    2. International Relations - General    3. Middle East - General    4. Political History    5. Political Science    6. Politics/International Relations    7. Arabian peninsula    8. Asian / Middle Eastern history    9. Biography: historical    10. Inter-war period, 1918-1939    11. Oman    12. Political leaders & leadership    13. Political Studies   

Reviews (2)

The Best Introduction Available
This is the best introduction available on the Gulf states, examining such critical themes as the British imperial legacy and the relationship between state, economy, and social classes. It certainly offers a non-Orientalist treatment and avoids the condescending and often bigoted discourse adopted by such colonial-minded writers as J.B. Kelly. The late Said-Zahlan had a full mastery of the British archives and extensive knowledge of the region. This is reflected in this valuable and concise introductory work.
A dry and uncritical introduction
Zahlan covers the history of the Gulf states with special emphasis on the history of the various monarchical families. Sadly, her attitude is unflinchingly fawning; she seems afraid to say one negative thing aboutthese countries and their economic and political challenges. As well, thewriting style is very dry and wooden. Her bias is symbolized by one of themaps showing the UAE as extending westward all the way to Dawhat as Salwa,at the southwest base of Qatar. This reflects absurdly ambitiousterritorial claims of the UAE at a time when the Saudis have claimed thecoast in the vicinity of Khawr Duwayhin, southeast of Qatar. This map isemblematic of the book's flaws. A much better book despite its age (1980)is 'Arabia, the Gulf, & the West' by J.B. Kelly. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Current Affairs    2. Economic Conditions    3. International Relations - General    4. Middle East - General    5. Political    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Politics/International Relations    8. Arabian peninsula    9. Asian / Middle Eastern history    10. Middle East   

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - General History    3. History: World    4. Middle East - General   

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. General    3. History - General History    4. Indigenous peoples    5. Middle East - General    6. Nomads    7. Oman    8. Pastoral systems    9. Rural Planning    10. Rural development projects    11. Sociology    12. Anthropology    13. Business & Economics / General    14. Development studies    15. Social groups & communities   

Subjects:  1. History - General History    2. Middle East - General   

Subjects:  1. History    2. History: World    3. Medieval World History (Circa 450 - Circa 1450)    4. Middle Ages    5. Middle East - General    6. Middle East - History    7. Oman    8. Yemen    9. Arabian peninsula    10. Asian / Middle Eastern history: c 1500 to c 1900    11. Asian / Middle Eastern history: c 500 to c 1500    12. Economic history    13. Middle East    14. Social history   

Reviews (1)

Fine reading
Fantastic!! Mr. Issac, in writing this timely book, has done a great service to anyone interested in the Arabian Peninsula. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Atlases    2. Atlases - Historical    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Historical atlases    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History - Middle East    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Maps for children    10. Middle East - General    11. Oman    12. Reference    13. Reference - Atlases   

Reviews (15)

BEST TRUE STORY I'VE EVER READ!
WHILE I WON'T OFFER MUCH NEW TO PREVIOUS REVIEWS, I JUST HAD TO
The Feather men
Could not simply place the book down. Had me gripped from start to finish. Quite a lot to take in with various names being slung around the place early on but if you bare with this and keep concentrating it is greatly rewarded. The best book I have ever read.
A few words on The Feather Men,I bought the book on an off chance and it was so gripping that I could not put it down.For a factual story it makes even the most far fetched fiction look run of the mill stuff.People like Ranulph Fiennes are truly a cut above the rest,a must read for any one who is interested in special services operations. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Army.    3. General    4. Great Britain.    5. History    6. Infamous Crimes And Criminals    7. Middle East    8. Nonfiction - True Crime / Espionage    9. Oman    10. Social life and customs    11. Sociology    12. Special Air Service    13. Vendetta   

Reviews (1)

Oman-before Qaboos
Published in 1967 during the reign of the backwards and reclusive Sultan bin Taimur, Oman: A History, gives a picture of the country from prehistoric times onward. It is divided into the chapters, "The Dawn of Oman", "The Omani Empire in Africa", "The Albu Said Dynasty is founded", "Said the Great", "Said and the Slave Trade", "Murder, Slavery, and Rebellion", "Time of Troubles and the Buraimi Dispute", and "Revolt on the Green Mountain" and 3 short appendixes, "Christianity in Arabia", "Unveiling the Past" and "the Zanzibar Revolution". The book stresses the origins of Oman and the seemingly unstable rule of law which maintained stability through the strength of the Sultans of the Al Bu Said dynasty and their excellent statecraft and fair dealings in foreign and domestic affairs. The foreign aspect is also stressed in descriptions of trans-oceanic transport which Oman was largely dependant on, and the incredible might of its navel power for a country of its size, which has played such an important role in its history. The demise of Portuguese and Persian rule are discussed as well, reflecting the strong national identity based around Oman's unique form of Islam, (Ibadhi) which is crucial to understanding Oman. The great profits, and even greater evils, of the East African slave trade are covered in depth as well as Oman's rule of slaving colonies on the Swahili coast with grew to rival Oman itself in influence. Unfortunately, it ends three years before the most important event in Omani history, the coming to power of Qaboos bin Said, who single handedly transformed the country into a modern state based on oil revenues, brought it out of diplomatic and social isolation, and vastly improved the lives of the Omanis. The book's unique value lies primarily in that it is the last expert view of Oman when it was still terra incognita to the rest of the world. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asian / Middle Eastern history    2. Oman   

Subjects:  1. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    2. Biography: general    3. Oman    4. Postwar period, 1945 to c 2000   

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - General History    3. History: World    4. Islam - History    5. Middle East - General   

Subjects:  1. 1945-    2. 20th century    3. Counterinsurgency    4. Europe - Great Britain - General    5. Great Britain    6. History    7. History - Military / War    8. History, Military    9. Military    10. Military - General    11. World politics    12. British & Irish history: from c 1900 -    13. Central government policies    14. Cyprus    15. History / Military / General    16. Irregular or guerrilla forces & warfare    17. Kenya    18. Malaysia    19. Northern Ireland    20. Oman    21. Palestine    22. Postwar period, 1945 to c 2000    23. Yemen