Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

An interesting view on Saudi Arabia from the past to now. The read did get overly political to me, like reading a textbook in political science, but cannot deny the amount of research and knowledge that has gone into this. Anyone interested in politics will really dig this one!

I really enjoyed reading this book, as it offers a lot of information on Saudi Arabia. It is very detailed and very well written.

Excellent reference book I intend to acquire for myself to have on hand to look up points when necessary. est book I have ever read on the family of Saud that went on to create the kingdom. It give major insight in the Wahabi form of Islam how it came to be as well as Bedouin in general [which are not like the plains tribes in anything more than willing fight to protect themselves, the rest of their mindsets are much different in thoughts & actions though they are the true Indigenous peoples of that area from all I have seen, been around or heard] He naturally comes at this from a political western view but he was honest in history over the level of exploitive intent by Euro & US forces in manipulating & using the peoples of that area. This especially by the UK. Really think this book is a must read before anyone even tries to open their mouth on the subject of country or family

MBS has been a hot topic of late in the media, but finding anything out about him with any certainty has been hard to do. This book is essential reading and is great for the layman like me who doesn't know much and wants to satisfy a curiosity. Highly recommended.