ISBN:
(13) 978-1-85207-705-1
Extent:
4 volumes, 2,000 pages Editor: A. Burdett Published: 1996 Paper: Printed on acid free paper Binding: Library bindings with gilt finish |
RESUMÉ
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
This publication organises and presents for the first time an extensive collection of letters from and to the Saudi leader over half a century. The first items date from the years after his fabled recapture of Riyadh in 1902, when Abdul Aziz emerged as Amir of Nejd. The last letters are from the year of King Abdul Aziz´s death, 1953. In between there are such historical highlights as the resistance to the Turks culminating in their defeat and removal; relations with the Sharif of Mecca; correspondence with Philby; relations with Al-Rashid, tribal raiding and the problems of controlling the Ikhwan; relations with Hijaz; and the boundary with Jordan; regional politics with Iraq, Kuwait and Yemen; and in the later years concerns with customs, oil exploitation and development.
For the most part the letters are in both Arabic and English. The correspondence holds up a mirror to the life of King Abdul Aziz, and reflects the evolution over 50 years of his status, authority, style and statesmanship.
DOCUMENTARY IMPORTANCE
KEY DOCUMENTS
Many Arabian tribes are mentioned in the correspondence, including: