'From 1988 to 1991, Alex McGoldrick lived in Riyadh as Australian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, the emirates of the Persian Gulf, the Sultanate of Oman and the Yemen.
'Observing first hand the Gulf War and its effects on Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states, this memoir also casts an eye on Saudi society: the influence of Wahabbist Islam and the strict application of sharia law and the difficulties facing expatriates living under it.
'It has much to say about the work of the Australian Embassy and the problems that can arise in dealing with the Saudi authorities - not least those associated with the rejection in 1989 of shipments of Australian sheep that led to long-term suspension of the trade.' (Publication summary)
