November/December 2007

Al-Hamad, Turki. Adama. London : Saqi, 2003. ISBN 978-1886913608

This coming of age novel of a young Saudi man is a rare look at Saudi fiction in translation. First part of a trilogy.

Beyond the Dunes: an Anthology of Modern Saudi Literature. Mansour I. al-Hazim (ed.) London : I.B. Tauris, 2006. ISBN 978-1-85043-972-1

A beautiful book that allows a look into contemporary Saudi Arabian poetry, short stories, and essays. This kind of literature is very difficult to find in translation.

Bin Ladin, Carmen. Inside the Kingdom: My Life in Saudi Arabia. New York, Warner Books, 2005. ISBN 0-446-69488-6

Ms. Bin Ladin, a Swiss Iranian, married one of Osama’s brothers. She then learned about the reality of life in Saudi Arabia for women. Despite the enormous wealth of the Bin Ladin family, she was unable to adjust to life in the Kingdom and eventually the marriage ended.

Brooks , Geraldine . Nine Parts of Desire: Hidden World of Islamic Women. New York: Anchor Books, 1995. ISBN 0-385-47576-4

Brooks, a journalist in the Middle East for six years, writes an excellent book about the lives of women in Saudi Arabia. An excellent book that will answer many of your questions.

Canby, Sheila R. Islamic Art in Detail. Cambridge : Harvard University Press, c2005. ISBN 978-0-674-02390-1

A beautiful book that highlights Islamic art and explains its themes and elements.

Cuddihy, Kathy. Saudi Customs and Etiquette. Interlink Pub. Group, 2003 (rev. ed). ISBN 978-1900988520

My friend Mohamad sent this book to me prior to our trip. He believes that it is a very accurate explanation of some of the mysteries of Saudi society. I agree!

Lawrence , T.E., Seven Pillars of Wisdom: a Triumph. New York: Anchor Books, 1991. ISBN 978-0-385-41895-9

The epic story of Lawrence of Arabia. For all who love history.

Sasson, Jean. Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the veil in Saudi Arabia. Windsor-Brooke Books, C2001. ISBN 0967673747

A true Saudi princess smuggled her diaries out to Jean Sasson who offers them as a very well-written and sad story about the life of women in Saudi Arabia. Part of a trilogy.  

Wynbrandt, James. Brief History of Saudi Arabia. New York, Facts on File, 2004. ISBN 978-0816057955

This excellent book was sent to us as recommended reading before our trip.

Kristine Larson Brown is a library media specialist at James Madison Memorial High School in Madison Wisconsin. A former Social Studies teacher, she continues to pursue her love of history in the high school library.