On Saudi Arabia book cover

On Saudi Arabia by Karen Elliott House Summary

On Saudi Arabia
Karen Elliott House
3.78 (1434 Reviews)
Society
Politics
History
Overview
Key Takeaways
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Overview of On Saudi Arabia

Pulitzer Prize-winner Karen Elliott House unveils Saudi Arabia's contradictions through five years of unprecedented access - from terrorists to royalty. What secrets did she uncover about this oil-rich nation that eerily mirrors the Soviet Union's final days? A chilling masterclass in investigative journalism.

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Key takeaways

1

Behind the Veil of Oil and Power

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What happens when a medieval kingdom collides with the 21st century while sitting atop the world's largest oil reserves? Saudi Arabia stands as one of the world's most paradoxical nations-where women can't drive but own businesses worth millions, where religious police patrol streets yet princes party in European nightclubs, where ancient tribal codes govern a society awash in smartphone-wielding youth. This isn't just another Middle Eastern monarchy. It's a high-stakes experiment in whether absolute power, religious authority, and modern wealth can coexist indefinitely. The answer matters far beyond the kingdom's borders, affecting global oil markets, terrorism networks, and the stability of an entire region that supplies energy to the world.

2

The Founder's Formula for Control

3

Money, Religion, and the Art of Buying Silence

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When Religion Becomes a Political Weapon

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Women on the Frontlines of Change

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Youth Rebellion in the Desert Kingdom

7

The Ticking Clock of Succession and Reform

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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
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"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
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108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
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254
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17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
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"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

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