If Olaya Street Could Talk is a portrait of Saudi Arabia and its people; encompassing a 25-year period during the era of its dynamic transformation from being one of the poorer countries in the world to becoming a state with a modern physical and economic infrastructure. It is also a story about the western expatriates who worked and lived in the country--from the "free and easy 70's"--to the period when they became specific targets for execution by certain religious fundamentalists. The book addresses western perceptions of the country and how those perceptions were formed; from TE Lawrence and Wilfred Thesiger to NY Times columnists Thomas Friedman; Maureen Dowd and David Brooks. The book's fundamental purpose is to examine the issue which dominates today's headlines: the "Islamic-Western cultural divide" and places this concept within the context of American issues; such as the experience with the black-white cultural divide as well as America's last significant conflict; the Vietnam War. It is in parts a travelogue; a sociological examination; a historical documentary; a love story; health care development and political commentary. The author is one of few Americans to have lived in the country during this period of time who had access to Saudis at all levels of society and freely traveled throughout a large portion of the country. No other book; in English or Arabic; covers this period of Saudi Arabia's transformation to a modern nation; the period from 1978 to 2003. The motivation for writing the book was to render a realistic image of the people of Saudi Arabia; as well as to examine some of the basis for the American misperceptions of this country and region; in the hope that it will inspire others to take steps towards ending the current policy of war without end.
#15561 in Books Peace Hill Press 2005-06-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.30 x 1.10 x 5.30l; 1.23 #File Name: 0972860339512 pageshistorypaperbackperfecteducationaltextbook
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great for our younger learner!By Jamie BiasiWe love this series for our history lessons for our home school. My youngest was having an issue concentrating enough to get the comprehension down. Now that we added the audio to let her listen to as she reads along we have noticed her absorbing more of the information. My older two never needed it. It shows that kids are all different :D1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. We love this history program!By CustomerI would highly recommend this book; and the entire Story Of The World Series; to all ages. With just the basic books; it would be interesting non fictional reading that will support any history program. If you get the activity book to go with it and the test booklet; you've got yourself a very interesting; hands on history curriculum that can be used with multiple ages and rotated out year to year. It's dinomite! If your child is younger; use it as a read aloud history book.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great Read!By J. DavisGreat content and great read for my 10 year-old
