Ritchie savored the excitement he was sensing in the darkness of the room. Not the excitement of adrenaline induced fear but the excitement of adrenaline pumped anxiety and anticipation. This was the promised feast that Abdullah had turned into a nightmare, that night, almost two months before. He had been an unkind host this Bedu-made-in America Abdullah. He had grievously injured his trusting guests, had been cunning in his deception, and merciless in his cruelty. Grievously he had erred and grievously he was going to pay for his sin. He could no longer be trusted, this raving mad dog of an Arab. He had made a mistake of major proportions in betraying the friendship of an American. In a series of murderous adventures, Glassier takes terrorism to the center of the Rub al-Khali Desert. To his surprise, this area also known as the Empty Quarter is not only full of oil, but also of love, hatred, sex, drugs, and above all-mirages-the ultimate level playing field.

In this fascinating history of the discovery, development, and exploitation of Middle East oil, an international journalist tells a largely unknown story rich in drama, conflict, and comic interludes. Illustrations.

'Clear-eyed and illuminating.' Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of State and National Security Advisor 'A rich, superbly researched, balanced history of the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.' General David Petraeus, former Commander U.S. Central Command and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency 'Destined to be the best single volume on the Kingdom.' Ambassador Chas Freeman, former U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Assistant Secretary of Defense 'Should be prescribed reading for a new generation of political leaders.' Sir Richard Dearlove, former Chief of H.M. Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) and Master of Pembroke College, Cambridge. Something extraordinary is happening in Saudi Arabia. A traditional, tribal society once known for its lack of tolerance is rapidly implementing significant economic and social reforms. An army of foreign consultants is rewriting the social contract, King Salman has cracked down hard on corruption, and his dynamic though inexperienced son, the Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, is promoting a more tolerant Islam. But is all this a new vision for Saudi Arabia or merely a mirage likely to dissolve into Iranian-style revolution? David Rundell - one of America's foremost experts on Saudi Arabia - explains how the country has been stable for so long, why it is less so today, and what is most likely to happen in the future. The book is based on the author's close contacts and intimate knowledge of the country where he spent 15 years living and working as a diplomat. Vision or Mirage demystifies one of the most powerful, but least understood, states in the Middle East and is essential reading for anyone interested in the power dynamics and politics of the Arab World.

Former TIME Magazine Jerusalem bureau chief David Aikman takes a sober, balanced impactful look at the Middle East, bringing a journalist’s mind and a believer’s heart to his examination of a region aflame. In this timely and informed exploration of current Middle East issues that goes beyond headlines and sound bites, Aikman fills in the blanks for thoughtful Christians, accurately tracing recent history and fairly portraying the leaders who have made that history. With a firm grasp on a biblical understanding of Israel’s past, present and future, he turns a critical eye on the political and religious policies of the region’s prime players, resorting neither to blind pro Israeli sentiment nor to reactionary pro Palestinian bias. Aikman challenges us to a uniquely Christian approach to the Middle East, respect, reason and love, rather than unqualified tolerance on the one hand or religious crusading on the other.

When Jake Darren meets Jo Anne Arnout, he's immediately smitten by her beauty. He convinces her to marry him, and the two set out on what's supposed to be a romantic honeymoon in Beirut, Lebanon. But a funny thing happens during their trip: Jake kills Osama bin Laden, not once, but twice. And as if that isn't enough to liven up the adventure, he then has an out-of-body experience on the Himalayan border of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Even as Jake realizes that he's actually killed imposters, he becomes convinced that God has chosen him to accomplish great things. Meanwhile, the real Osama receives similar messages of greatness from Heaven through the Archangel Gabriel. But this is what Jake gets for marrying the daughter of a Chicago drug dealer with al-Qaeda connections. Of course, it doesn't help that his beautiful mother-in-law was once in love with the most notorious terrorist in the world-before the events of September 11, of course. Despite the raucous ride with familial complications, Jake knows that he must not give up. He must track down the wily terrorist at all costs, so that history will remember him as The Man Who Killed Osama.

George P. Matheos combines his storytelling talent with his real world experiences to create six captivating tales that will delight and amaze in this fun short-story collection. In Dragon Man, George Peter experiences a most memorable vacation laced with fear, adventure, love, and humility in a strange encounter with a disfigured man. A brave hero blasts through several universes seeking out Pure Mind to get the magic word that makes him a superhero on command in Commander Niko. Modern knight Thomas falls in love with good witch Samantha while battling warlocks and dragons in Thomas and the Witch of Pig Prophets Hill. In Siena Chapters, Siena makes friends with mermaid Sirenia and hears the tragic story of the beautiful Melusina and handsome Prince Brandon. One Day in the Life of Victor sees Victor splashing in pirate games and victories at sea in his backyard pool with his talking mice friends and mean and hungry cats. In The Meaning of Matteo, four year old Matteo stumbles upon hermits, werewolves, Little Red Riding Hood, and Cassiopeia before fastening on his Iron Man boots in the safe haven of his bedroom. Bursting with colorful characters and rousing adventure, Pure Magic shows how the magic of childhood is filled with unending journeys into the imagination.

Journeying from the green, rain-soaked Kerala into the amphitheatre of the Sun, our traveller-journalist finds that there is no better metaphor than the desert to instil the lessons of life and death, love and hatred, thirst and water. From a single shower of rain which brings the gaaf tree back to life after a decade to the ever-shifting dunes of gold and thousand-year-old sand palaces, the mysterious poetry of the desert is everywhere on display, if one but has the eye and heart to see it. As the deserts of Nafud, Dahna, and Rub’ al Khali in Arabia both embrace and trap the travellers, the outpouring of the landscape’s longing for rivers recalls a past filled with water. This narrative describes the history, prehistory, archaeology, legends, folklore, and travails of the émigré Asian work force that tames the harsh desert as never before.