Description
Book SynopsisThe period covered in this book saw Saudi Arabia emerge as the state we know today. With British backing, the Saudi state expanded from its Najdi origins eastweard, westward, northward and southward, embracing at the end of the period, the greater part of the Arabian peninsula. Kostiner focuses in particular on the development of the political role of the chieftaincy into a more centralized political structure. Ibn Saud emerged as the most prominent of the tribal leaders, shrewdly exploiting the revolts of religious zealots to gain supremacy over his rivals. Drawing on an impressive range of materials, The Making of Saudi Arabia is the most complete study of the creation of the Saudi state to date.
Trade ReviewWhile analyzing the politics of Arabia, Kostiner demonstrates considerable skill as a political scientist...the publishers deserve credit for an excellent production...commendable piece of research. * Muslim World Book Review Vol 16 no 1 *
A critical assessment of the `personality cult' approach and an evaluation of its underlying assumptions are outstanding projects for a future generation of researchers and scholars of the country. Kostiner's book is a most welcome and revealing attempt in this direction...Kostiner's welcome attempt to marry history and anthropology leads him to see clearly some continuities in the history of the Arabian Peninsula as far as political development is concerned. * Middle Eastern Studies Vol 31 no 3 *
Kostiner's welcome attempt to marry history and anthropology leads him to see clearly some continuities in the history of the Arabian Peninsula as far as political development is concerned. * Middle Eastern Studies *
Joseph Kostiner's book is an important contribution to our understanding of the early decades of the new Saudi kingdom ... its present character and some of its problems * Mordechai Abir, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, Volume 22, Numbers 1 & 2 (1995) *
