"A vivid and vibrant picture of Hijazi society and its transformations in the twentieth century, from intimate domestic culture to public performance and political ritual. A particular insight into female society and its active culture." - Sami Zubaida, Professor of Sociology at Birkbeck College, University of London; "Mai Yamani is consistently the sharpest observer of modern Saudi Arabia and paints ... Read morea vivid picture of the cauldron of political and religious divisions that are tearing it apart. This is a major contribution to the study of Arab diversity - at a time when the West urgently needs to understand it." - Tim Sebastian, BBC "Hard Talk"; "An invaluable contribution to the social and political history of a hitherto largely unknown, ignored and unrecognized people. An irrefutably powerful argument for the preservation of cultural identity, respect for human dignity and a celebration of our human diversity." - HRH Prince Hassan of Jordan Show Less