Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Arab States Today
An Encyclopedia of Life in the Arab States
Sebastian Maisel, John A. Shoup
ISBN:
0-313-34442-6
ISBN-13:
978-0-313-34442-8
527 pages
Greenwood Press
Publication:
2/17/2009
Availability:
In Stock
Media Type:
Hardcover
Trim Size:
7 x 10
Subjects:
Reviews:
-
"Cross-references are numerous, and a thorough index makes locating information easy. An extensive bibliography provides citations and further reading. This solid collection of entries, coedited by two academics, one from the U.S. and the other from Morocco, is highly recommended for academic and large public libraries."
—Booklist
July 2009
Description:
This extremely timely and helpful ready reference will familiarize all students and readers with the Gulf region and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Dubai, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Yemen, and Qatar. These states are bound by the desert culture, the Gulf, new oil economy, and Islam, to name some commonalities. Most Americans know something about the region, such as oases, dates, camels, oil, Bedouin tribes, and the legends of Lawrence of Arabia to Osama bin Laden. Islamic concepts and practices are still unfamiliar. On one extreme, Saudi Arabia, the cradle of Islam, has been largely closed off to Western tourists. On the other extreme, Dubai courts tourist dollars as it constructs modern architectural showcases. This is the first A-Z encyclopedia to focus on the Gulf, illuminating the land, people, religion, culture and traditions, institutions, economy, and much more for general readers. The more than 200 essay entries have a current focus with historical context as necessary.
The breadth of coverage means that this resource will be of use for a wide range of researchers and browsers. Besides individual entries on each state, major cities and regions are also profiled. The natural environment and human adaptation to it receives significant space. Islamic customs and rules and various interpretations are clearly explained. Essays on key public figures, institutions, major events, politics, and state structures and more also make this the first-choice resource for accurate information. Further reading accompanies per most entries. The contributors have mined sources often not available in English. A chronology, selected bibliography, and photos complement the text.
About the Author:
Sebastian Maisel is Assistant Professor of Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mchigan. He has researched and written extensively including books and essays on social, political, and religious issues in Arabia and his other field of expertise, the ethno-religious minority of the Yezidis. Among his books are The Customary Law of the Bedouins in Northern Arabia (2006) and Yezidism—Religion and Life (co-author, 2008).
John A. Shoup teaches at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco. He has authored and co-authored a number of articles and book chapters and published Culture and Customs of Jordan (Greenwood, 2007) and Culture and Customs of Syria (Greenwood, 2008).
LCC Class:
953.003-dc22
www.greenwood.com/catalog/GR4442.aspx
