The Saudi Royal Family

by Lange, Brenda; Schlesinger, Arthur Meier; Reed, Jennifer Bond

• ISBN13: 9780791092187
• ISBN10: 0791092186
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-01-01
• Publisher: Facts on File

Summary

The House of Saud had humble beginnings as a family of nomads living in Arabia. But when a new form of the Islamic religion, Wahhabism, influenced the household, they began a quest to unite all of Arabia under this faith. Wars were waged for more than a century until the Al Saud vision finally was realized under King Abdul Aziz, the first king of modern-day Saudi Arabia. Now the international oil trade has made Saudi Arabia one of the richest countries in the world, and the Saudi royal family finds itself caught in the balance between traditional Islamic faith and the appeal of wealth and Western-style ways. In addition, evidence points to Saudi involvement in the September 11th attacks on the United States. Combining new information on current events with important historical context, The Saudi Royal Family will spark debate on what lies ahead for one of the richest families in the world.

Table of Contents

Foreword: On Leadership	p. 6
Humble Origins	p. 12
Desert Kingdom	p. 23
King Abdul Aziz-A New Kingdom	p. 31
King Saud, the Black Sheikh: 1953-1964	p. 41
King Faisal, the Hero: 1964-1975	p. 53
King Khalid, the Quiet One: 1975-1982	p. 60
King Fahd, the Businessman: 1982-2005	p. 66
Saudi Arabia and the War on Terror	p. 82
King Abdullah	p. 93
Friend or Foe: The Future of Saudi Arabia	p. 100
Chronology	p. 110
Bibliography	p. 113
Further Reading	p. 114
Index	p. 116
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

The House of Saud had humble beginnings as a family of nomads living in Arabia. But when a new form of the Islamic religion, Wahhabism, influenced the household, they began a quest to unite all of Arabia under this faith. Wars were waged for more than a century until the Al Saud vision finally was realized under King Abdul Aziz, the first king of modern-day Saudi Arabia.
Now the international oil trade has made Saudi Arabia one of the richest countries in the world, and the Saudi royal family finds itself caught in the balance between traditional Islamic faith and the appeal of wealth and Western-style ways. In addition, evidence points to Saudi involvement in the September 11th attacks on the United States. Combining new information on current events with important historical context, The Saudi Royal Family will spark debate on what lies ahead for one of the richest families in the world.