Faisal bin Abdul Aziz, the third king of Saudi Arabia, was born in a mud house in a small desert village and died as one of the most powerful men on the planet. His reign marked the Kingdom's transition, in barely two generations, from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Devout and cautious, Faisal brought gradual change to his nation without eroding its traditions and Islamic value system. Saudis recall his reign as a golden age - when an infrastructure was built, welfare services established and hardliners in the religious establishment were kept in check. American support for Israel led Faisal to institute the 1973 oil embargo, bringing an end to the era of cheap energy and dramatically transforming Saudi society. His death left a void, one which his successors have filled with an overdose of religion. Saudi Arabia and the world are still suffering the consequences.

A compelling account of the life of King Faisal during a particularly turbulent period in the history of Saudi Arabia.

DIVBorn in 1883, King Faisal I of Iraq was a seminal figure not only in the founding of the state of Iraq but also in the making of the modern Middle East. In all the tumult leading to the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire and the establishment of new Arab states, Faisal was a central player. His life traversed each of the important political, military, and intellectual developments of his times./div This comprehensive biography is the first to provide a fully rounded picture of Faisal the man and Faisal the monarch. Ali A. Allawi recounts the dramatic events of his subject’s life and provides a reassessment of his crucial role in developments in the pre– and post–World War I Middle East and of his lasting but underappreciated influence in the region even 80 years after his death. A battle-hardened military leader who, with the help of Lawrence of Arabia, organized the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire; a leading representative of the Arab cause, alongside Gertrude Bell, at the Paris Peace Conference of 1919; a founding father and king of the first independent state of Syria; the first king of Iraq—in his many roles Faisal overcame innumerable crises and opposing currents while striving to build the structures of a modern state. This book is the first to afford his contributions to Middle East history the attention they deserve.

Providing exceptional insight into one of the most extraordinary and charismatic Muslim leaders of modern times, this biographical account details the full life of King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. From commanding expeditions on his father’s frontiers at the age of 15 and being a loyal Prime Minister to building and reforming within Saudi Arabia, this account seamlessly and elegantly places King Faisal’s life story in the complex historical context of the Middle East and the world over.

“In the world of black-op thrillers, Mitch Rapp continues to be among the best of the best” (Booklist, starred review), and he returns in the #1 New York Times bestselling series alone and targeted by a country that is supposed to be one of America’s closest allies. After 9/11, the United States made one of the most secretive and dangerous deals in its history—the evidence against the powerful Saudis who coordinated the attack would be buried and in return, King Faisal would promise to keep the oil flowing and deal with the conspirators in his midst. But when the king’s own nephew is discovered funding ISIS, the furious President gives Rapp his next mission: he must find out more about the high-level Saudis involved in the scheme and kill them. The catch? Rapp will get no support from the United States. Forced to make a decision that will change his life forever, Rapp quits the CIA and assembles a group of independent contractors to help him complete the mission. They’ve barely begun unraveling the connections between the Saudi government and ISIS when the brilliant new head of the intelligence directorate discovers their efforts. With Rapp getting too close, he threatens to go public with the details of the post-9/11 agreement between the two countries. Facing an international incident that could end his political career, the President orders America’s intelligence agencies to join the Saudis’ effort to hunt the former CIA man down. Rapp, supported only by a team of mercenaries with dubious allegiances, finds himself at the center of the most elaborate manhunt in history. With white-knuckled twists and turns leading to “an explosive climax” (Publishers Weekly), Enemy of the State is an unputdownable thrill ride that will keep you guessing until the final page.

"A detailed and fascinating biography."--The Economist "A masterpiece of scholarship. . . . [Vassiliev] has managed to bring to life the legacy of one of Saudi Arabia's most interesting and influential figures."--Anoush Ehteshami, Durham University In 1964 Faisal bin Abdul Aziz became king of a country holding a quarter of the world's oil reserves, also home to Mecca and Medina. He was called "the most powerful Arab ruler in centuries." Eleven years later, in front of television cameras, his nephew shot him at point-blank range. In this authoritative biography, Alexei Vassiliev tells the story of a pious, cautious and resolute leader who steered Saudi Arabia through a minefield of domestic problems, inter-Arab relations and the decline of Soviet influence in the Middle East. King Faisal maintained ties with both Egypt and the United States through two Arab-Israeli wars and the 1973 Arab oil embargo, which revolutionized the world energy market. Throughout, he staked high hopes on cooperation with the United States, arelationship that is still vital to both countries' interests. Exhaustively researched and including original documents and interviews in Arabic, Russian, and English,King Faisal of Saudi Arabiaoffers a unique perspective of this seminal figure and is key to understanding the Arab world today. Alexei Vassilievis Honorary President of the Institute for African Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences. He is the author of over forty books, including the acclaimedThe History of Saudi Arabia, winner of the Choice Outstanding Academic Book Award, andCentral Asia: Political and Economic Challenges in the Post-Soviet Era.