Editor's Choice
Recent Articles
Related Articles
Books about the Emiratis and their culture
You could be the typical expat and live oblivious to the country that you have moved to, or you could find out a little about the culture. Understand what and why from these selection of books.
The Middle East Unveiled: A Cultural and Practical Guide for All Western Business Professionals’
By Donna Marsh
Buy from:
www.amazon.com www.amazon.ca www.amazon.co.uk
This book is probably one of the best primers about the Middle East that you can read. And within a few hours you can get to grips with what you need to know before you move out to places like the UAE and Qatar as well as other GCC and Middle East states. We certainly recommend it to you. We also recommend the company behind them. Based in the Uk Culture Unveiled is great for corporates moving into the region and need to train up quickly. Check it out at www.cultureunveiled.com.
Culture Shock! United Arab Emirates
by Jack Smart
Buy from:
amazon.ca amazon.co.uk
Coming from a Western society, you are sure to have some sort of culture shock. This book picks up on the hang ups and issues that you might face in a direct way.
Understanding Arabs: A Guide for Modern Times
by Margaret K. Nydell
Buy from:
amazon.com amazon.ca amazon.co.uk
The latest edition from a top selling book. This book is unbiased and looks at a number of issues, from the importance of family to social strucure to social distance and gesturing. A real insight into the arabic culture.
The Arab Mind
by Raphel Patai
Buy from:
amazon.com amazon.ca amazon.co.uk
If you have the patience for a proper study of Arab thought, this piece will give you great insight to Beduin values, marginality and emotion. A true literary piece of work from the late Dr Patai.
Mother without a Mask
by Patricia Holton
Buy from:
amazon.com amazon.ca amazon.co.uk
A first hand insight into a local family's life in Al Ain from the eyes of a Westerner.
Arabian Sands
by Wilfred Thesiger
Buy from:
amazon.com amazon.ca amazon.co.uk
Imagine a timeless Bedouin classic about life in the Dubai dessert - this is the book, by the late Thesiger. Read it now before the film gets out. Ralph Fiennes is rumoured to be playing Thesiger.
The Wink of the Mona Lisa
by Muhammed al Murr
Buy from:
amazon.com amazon.ca amazon.co.uk
Why is this book important? Firstly, it is written by a local Emirati. And secondly, it draws some very accurate comparisons to the normality of lives of Arabs in comparison to the West.