The author opens up her book citing that when she first came to Saudi Arabia in 1976, most people in the Western world had very little knowledge about Saudi Arabia. Even as the author published her book in 2002, people still barely knew about this kingdom...
...and even in the present day, I feel like Saudi Arabia carries negative connotations in the Western world. We hear about the medieval style punishment, the laws that prohibit women from driving, and the association of terrorism with the Wahhabi faith. And I agree, all the above are bad, and Saudi Arabia may not be the most perfect place on Earth. However, I think people should still try and look at the other aspects of the country objectively. This book is a good introduction to the Saudi State and its culture.
Some of the topics covered include: Saudi hospitality, marriage and the family structure, religious practices, and differences in the business environment. For the most part, it explains what Saudis do (depending on which region they live in), and what they typically expect Westerners to do. The book is written in very simple language, and it is not highly detailed. One or two chapters in the book aren't that helpful, i.e. one of them just discusses the history of incense. The book is still adequate for someone who wants to broaden their horizons and understand Saudi Arabia better when they hear about it in current events, etc. The knowledge in this book is also a bare minimum to have if you plan on visiting or residing there.
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