This informative sequel to the authors’ successful Freakonomics hit, is an interesting and engaging read. Although the subjects covered are original the innovation that made Freaknomics so successful was not as easily replicated in the sequel.
With styles and stories, Robert Lacey’s latest book brings to its readers great insight into the paradoxes that characterize Saudi society. In addressing its most controversial issues, Lacey manages to explain a country that is largely misunderstood by the rest of the world.
The Kingdom attempts to recast the subject of the politics and culture of Saudi Arabia under a new, less mystified light. The compilation manages to include articles that range from the transitional phases of Saudi society, to the regional position of the country. Yet, despite its aims and efforts, the book results in an unsatisfactory read for those looking for balanced, up-to-date, and coherent literature on Saudi Arabia.
Maass’ latest book is a forensic tour through the devastation wrought by an energy source that is in some ways as deadly as it is empowering. Maass apportions blame judiciously. He is tough on industry leaders like Exxon and British Petroleum, but he is equally hard on the state-owned oil companies that surged to power when populist leaders nationalized their energy sectors. Charming rogues, man-eating heads of state, Nigerian tribal kings waging low-intensity wars against oil-mad, aggrandizing regimes. Maass lays it all out with the crisp pace of a graphic novel.
Philip Robins takes on the challenge of introducing the Middle East in his latest book The Middle East: A Beginners’ Guide. Robins sheds light on a variety of issues that need to be taken into account in order to understand the current affairs of the region.