A Diamond in the Desert: Behind the Scenes in Abu Dhabi, the World's Richest City [Lingua Inglese] - Brossura

Tatchell, Jo

Brossura

ISBN 10: 080217079X ISBN 13: 9780802170798

Casa editrice: Black Cat, 2010

Riassunto

A compelling piece of history told with the intimate voice of a memoir, A Diamond in the Desert introduces readers to Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates capital, which rests on one-tenth of the world's oil. Today, its glittering luxury hotels, recent $10 billion bailout of neighbor Dubai, branches of the Louvre and Guggenheim museums opening in 2013, and an extension of New York University have positioned the city for an international entrance.

Journalist Jo Tatchell arrived in Abu Dhabi as a child in 1974. She returned in search of the story behind the headlines. She talked to, among others, the widow of diplomat Edward Henderson, the earliest British advisor to the UAE's first president, Sheikh Zayed; her father's former business partner, who rose from the merchant class to become one of the city's richest men; and an old friend whose extreme partying revealed to Tatchell a city now dripping with wealth. But the chilling story behind her brother's decision to flee the capital and never return reinforces Tatchell's suspicion that Abu Dhabi may have much to hide.

"In this lively book [Tatchell] returns to assess the rags-to-riches fast track that has derailed the traditional society of Abu Dhabi and to look forward to a vision of the city as a possible cultural bridge between Islam and the West."łThe Times (UK)

Su questo libro

Recensione:

Tatchell excavates the region’s gritty history from the perspective of a foreigner who goes back to study its glimmering present and ambitious future [displays] an impressive breadth of research into the region’s centuries-old tribal lineage, rocky political evolution and steep recent economic trajectory as a destination for opulent tourism and high culture a commendable survey of Abu Dhabi’s origins, intricacies, achievements and vision.” Kirkus

[A] revealing travelogue A teeming, sharply etched portrait Tatchell’s keen powers of observation and personal connections enable her to convey the hidden reality of this mirage-like city.” Publishers Weekly

Tatchell weaves a bit of danger in this part-memoir, part-travelogue, part-cultural study. . .an alluring read. If you’re curious about Middle Eastern culture or if you want an inside peek at an oil-rich economy, you’ll want this book.” Terri Schlichenmeyer, Bluffton Today (S.C.)

A Diamond in the Desert is a welcome addition to the short list of books on Abu Dhabi [tells] the fascinating story of how Abu Dhabi reached the current crossroad. Engagingly written and sympathetic to [its] subjects.” Eugene Rogan, The Guardian

This is a place we need to know more about, and Tatchell here provides a small, well-informed and flavorsome guide to an El Dorado of the dunes hers is the best thing I’ve read on the Gulf Coast boom to date. Part history, part reporting, part autobiography, it leaves you feeling you have come to grips with the realities of a land steeped in fable. The contradictions of its Islamic culture emerge starkly vivid yet balanced.” George Walden, Bloomberg News

Offers acute insights on the identity crisis gripping the Emiratis Tatchell pieces together Abu Dhabi’s rotten underbelly from a kaleidoscope of disquieting impressions.” Rachel Aspden, The Telegraph

Tatchell explores the different faces of this shimmering prism of a city through the man different eyes of its inhabitants. She is unsentimental and writes very well, with a keen journalistic eye for detail and drama. She brings alive the weird collision of the disparate worlds of sheikhs, expats and Indian immigrants with stories of decadence and depravity. This is an unusually engaging book that makes a compelling read.” Clover Stroud, The Sunday Telegraph

Part history, part autobiography and part travel book, A Diamond in the Desert assesses modern Abu Dhabi through the eyes of both locals and foreigners. Tatchell retains an overflowing fondness for the country of her childhood and tries as best she can to recount even some of the less palatable elements of society in a non-judgmental way.” Nathalie Thomas, The Scotsman

L'autore:

Jo Tatchell is the author of The Poet of Baghdad, which was nominated for the Costa Biography Award and other prizes. She has written on Middle Eastern culture for many publications, including The Guardian and the Sunday Times (UK), and has been on NPR's All Things Considered. She lives in London.

Su questa edizione

• Editore: Black Cat
• Data di pubblicazione: 2010
• ISBN 10: 080217079X
• ISBN 13: 9780802170798
• Rilegatura: Copertina flessibile
• Numero di pagine: 293