From Rags to Riches: The Story of Abu Dhabi

Born in 1948 in Abu Dhabi, the author knew fierce poverty in the years before fabulous oil wealth transformed his country for ever. He grew up in the ruler's palace, barefoot like his friends who are all now senior figures in the United Arab Emirates. An eye-witness account of the total transformation - within only 30 years - of a Bedouin society into a country with the world's highest per capita income. The author provides remarkable insights into the workings of the business community and the ruling elite with the UAE.

Customer Reviews:

Where did those wealthy Arab Gulf state people come from?

By A. Buerer - April 1, 2013

If you are suddenly bumping into those fabulous, glittering places like Dubai and Abu Dhabi on Facebook or travel promos and wondering where they came from, this book is for you. The United Arab Emirates where they are located was only birthed as a nation in 1971, so it may not have even been on the map when you were in school. This fascinating tale by a close childhood associate of the royal family gives you the inside scoop on how this marginal, third-world handful of unknown tribal people suddenly became international business tycoons, and shows how their visionary leader, Sheikh Zayed, paved the way for their amazing integration into the modern world. It is a fascinating "must read" for anyone with even a passing interest in modern Arab life in the Persian Gulf region.