Table of Contents

Introduction; Historical Structures in Oman; The Reign of Sa'id, 1932-1952; The Creation of the Unified Tribal State, 1955-1959; The Unified Tribal State, 1960-1964; Two Different Versions of the State; The Discovery of Oil and the Dhufar Rebellion; The End of the Unified Tribal State, November 1964-July 1970; Conclusion.

About the Author

Prof. Uzi Rabi is Director of the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies. His numerous academic works include Yemen: Revolution, Civil War, and Unification (I.B Tauris, 2005). He provides consultation to the media and Israeli policymakers on contemporary Middle Eastern issues.

Reviews

"Rabi examines the complex method employed by which Taymur brought about the integration of the several tribes intro a more unified political system while simultaneously and cautiously using the oil revenue without reducing the state's adherence to Islamic principles of governance... The author is to be commended for the intricacy of his coverage of the social and anthropological aspects of the historical development of this portion of the Persian Gulf. This effort will undoubtedly become a basic reading requirement for an appreciation of the historical development of modern Oman." --Digest of Middle East Studies

"Rabi presents a fascinating account and, indeed, a striking reassessment of the long reign of Sultan Sa'id bin Taymur. Earlier studies for the most part dismissed the reign of Sa'id as "medieval and isolationist," and regarded the government that succeeded it under Sa'id's English-educated son, Qabus, as "progressive and enlightened." Rabi has studied closely Sa'id's reign, and convincingly asserts that his government "proved to be a responsive administration that adjusted itself to political and socioeconomic challenges." Under Sa'id, Muscat and Oman were united as "the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman." In 1964, oil in commercial quantities was discovered in Oman, increasing dramatically the income of the state, yet Sa'id seemed less than able to deal with some of the demands of the time. As his son, Qabus put it: "I have watched with growing dismay and increasing anger the inability of my father to use the new found wealth of this country for the needs of its people." On 26 July 1970, Qabus, joined by others in Oman, led a coup and sent Sa'id into exile. Although Sa'id's 38-year reign ended in personal disaster, his accomplishments were important, and Rabi makes a strong case for them. Highly recommended." --Choice