Arshani, Awad al-. Hayat Zayid al-Faris Alladhi Qahara al-Sahra' [The Life of Zayed, the Knight Who Conquered the Desert].

€ 950.00

First edition. Authoritative biography of Sheikh Zayed, simultaneously a history of the conception and development of the United Arab Emirates, lavishly illustrated throughout with monochrome and colour photographs of the nation's founding father. The work draws together each of the Emirates, showing how they unified under Sheikh Zayed to form a modern nation. Interestingly, the section on Abu Dhabi recounts the history of the Bani Yas and the legendary discovery of a well of sweet water there in 1769. The following chapters are each devoted to elements of Sheikh Zayed's character, describing his family life, his intelligence in promoting education and the oil industry, his positive relations with other Arab states and the wider world, and the benefits of collaboration and unity. The many images of the ruler - some candid, some official - show him engaged in diverse pursuits such as hunting with falcons, entertaining foreign dignitaries, and performing the Hajj. A particularly compelling colour picture captures Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed on the occasion of the latter's graduation from Sandhurst military academy.

Rare: only four institutional copies traceable online, none outside the UAE (UAE Federation Library, Abu Dhabi Judicial Department Library, Ministry of Culture & Youth, and Ministry of Education - Zayed Al Khair School). A rare appearance on the market.