Best book on Qatar?
What is the best book (in your opinion) on the history and culture of Qatar available in any language (preferably English but Arabic will do)? Also, are there any novels or novelists (Arab or foreign) who have written well about life in Qatar? I often find literature to be the best intro to a place.
Thank you for your helpful comments. Yes; Ill keep a eye open for time out Qatar. I am pleased there are several books listed. Maybe there is even some significant literature? If not, someone must write "the great Qatari Novel" so to speak!
I understand that most literary culture in Qatar is expressed in poetry and songs of the bedouin and fishing past - some of these poems are quite narrative in nature; no?
"If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being - Solzenhitzen
All not just Academia,
Went to Jarir last night to browse the miniscule selection of books (no shock there), and came across a magazine called Tiime Out Qatar, a very informative read giving a non biased report on all clubs/bars and restaraunts to be frequented here in Doha.
The mag also covers places to go, tour groups etc etc etc and is well worth the read.
Ok time to get to the point, in the rear of the magazine is a list of books not only based on Qatar its history religion etc etc but also any major book that has a mention of Qatar, academia could be a good place for you to look, failing that I will post on tomorrow the names and authors if you cant get a hold of the magazine.
We came we saw we were Qatarized
It is a guide more than a book, but great one.
I bought it from Dubai before relocating to Doha and I really liked it!
Till now; after 6 monthes now in Doha; I still use it!
But the funniest is "If the sun doesn't kill you, the washing machine will"!