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Ibn Saud

The Desert Warrior Who Created the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

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Ibn Saud

Written by: Michael Darlow, Barbara Bray
Narrated by: Brian Bascle
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About this listen

Ibn Saud grew to manhood living the harsh traditional life of the desert nomad, a life that had changed little since the days of Abraham. Equipped with immense physical courage, he fought and won, often with weapons and tactics not unlike those employed by the ancient Assyrians, a series of astonishing military victories over a succession of enemies much more powerful than himself. Over the same period, he transformed himself from a minor sheikh into a revered king and elder statesman, courted by world leaders such as Churchill and Roosevelt. A passionate lover of women, Ibn Saud took many wives, had numerous concubines, and fathered almost one hundred children. Yet he remained an unswerving and devout Muslim, described by one who knew him well at the time of his death in 1953 as “probably the greatest Arab since the Prophet Muhammad.” Saudi Arabia, the country Ibn Saud created, is a staunch ally of the West, but it is also the birthplace of Osama bin Laden and 15 of the nineteen 9/11 hijackers. Saud’s kingdom, as it now stands, has survived the vicissitudes of time and become an invaluable player on the world’s political stage.

©2010, 2012 Michael Darlow and Barbara Bray. First published in the UK by Quartet Ltd. (P)2012 Audible, Inc. Biographies & Memoirs Historical Middle East Royalty Military Imperialism King Ottoman Empire War Refugee Self-Determination Winston Churchill Crusade
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What the critics say

“An entertainingly exhaustive, though imperfect, biography of an inscrutable monarch.” ( Kirkus Review)
“ Darlow and Bray convey the essence of the man as well as the stark, unforgiving landscape that he mastered while forging a nation.” (Jay Freeman, Booklist)
“All in all a successful narrative, though overlong on military exploits and personal vignettes and short on analysis of the massive changes in Arabian society.” ( Publishers Weekly)

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Profile Image for Gurdeep S.

Learned A LOT very thorough book

I could not stop listening and was impressed throughout at the details. Would definitely recommend

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This should be taught in North American schools

This was an eloquently written and informative biography. As a North American, the history of the Middle East (and the Wests interference) was never taught in schools or available easily. This book helped me understand everything about the world that I live in that I could not understand.

This should be a text book in NA schools.

Fabulous read!

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