Vision or Mirage

Saudi Arabia at the Crossroads

By: David Rundell

Narrated by: Fajer Al-Kaisi

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 for anyone interested in the power dynamics and politics of the Arab world.

©2021 David H. Rundell (P)2021 Tantor

Vision or mirage….david Rundell

Excellent coherent complete review of Saudi Arabia - its importance to world peace is immense. Very interesting reading and seems to be a very accurate description of the country

Excellent narration

I enjoyed the brief history of Saudi Arabia. Lot’s of historical facts. I have a new understanding of the monarch from the 1800 to present.

Interesting Book, but Terrible Pronunciation

Probably the most interesting part of this book for me was the history of consensus-building and the unique path that the modern Kingdom's development took from the other Arab states in the region, i.e., it developed without ever having been colonized.

The worst part was the awful pronunciation of the Arabic names of people and places--which was surprising, given the fact that the narrator is Iraqi. You get used to it after a while, but every time the narrator pronounces the Najd as "Naj-id" or Naif as "Na-yeef" (these are just a couple of many examples), it still takes your mind off of the text and, at times, can be a bit confusing.

Excellent book

This is a good history of Saudi Arabia which also describes concisely its society and its culture. It does show as well the contradictions inherent in the current reform and modernization measures that MBS is implementing. I enjoyed listening to it and I do recommend it.

if you want to learn about Saudi Arabia ...

Give this book a listen or read.
This is a well researched presentation of the House of Saud. As a person having lived and worked in the Kingdom, I learned a lot of new background by listening to this book. Well Done

Facts about 70% correct- but with a neocolonial voice

Narrator : gave a roundabout explanation of why he chose to Bucher most of the names that makes no sense. Even the length of vowels is clear in Classic Arabic

Author: acknowledges that “Wahhabi” is a derogatory term coined by Turks against Arabs while they were fighting to end their occupation, but still goes on to use it. I wonder if it was another slur against another race… would it be ok to use it because it was “commonly used in the West”??

Story of unification of the Kingdom: mostly accurate. Refreshingly dispassionate.
With a touch of over analysis in some points

Where the Author lost me: talk about Shi3a in Qatif.
Where other parts of the book actually state facts and have good examples, here the words are devoid of facts. No examples. Just Verbatim the words of a certain individual in London who switched passports to Iranian, and is not well liked by the people he claims to “defend”.
He also singles out a couple of good Qatif families in a way that makes them look awkward to both sides of the isle

30 years living in kingdom does give some insight, but not understanding of family dynamics. Saudis are very self aware and self critical (but not in front of strangers)
Family ties and national ties are actually stronger than ever. For those of us that were teens at the time, The stance of our “neighbors” during 1990 war cured a whole generation of any Pan Arab or Pan Islamic ideology.
We owe everyone a good Hajj, after which they can go home with good memories. That’s it.
Our Alliances are based on geography - shared interests- and shared values

We already had our “revolution” 91 years ago
We are in “Evolution” mode now

Fascinating book

Brought me up to speed on what has happened in Saudi Arabia since the big oil days. Very informative.

A “must read”

Very thought provoking. It seemed even handed. So much info that I’m going to re-listen to it soon. I appreciated the Arabic pronunciations.

Interesting without being amazing…

Personally i learnwd alot about a country i thought i knew something. Turns out i knew little.
Great chapter on social dynamics and the balance of tribes.
Its a good buy.