627 pp. Edited by Clifford Witting. Illustrated with several plates from photographs (including color frontispiece portrait of Shaikh Sir ‘Abdullah al Sálim al Sabah); 3 color plates from paintings and designs; 1 full-page half-tone design; 14 genealogies (3 are folding with 2 loosely laid in inside the rear cloth sleeve); 6 maps (2 in the text and 4 folding and loosely laid in inside rear sleeve as issued); 1 folding plate inside rear sleeve; plus numerous figure drawings within the text. 9x6, orange-brown cloth, spine lettered in gilt over green background, pictorial jacket. First Edition.

Scarce first edition of this classic and scholarly history on Kuwait, Iraq and other neighboring Middle-Eastern countries. "Like ‘The Arab of the Desert,’ but with the author's version of Kuwait’s recent history, also. Valuable data and genealogical materials embedded in chitchat. Chapters 7-9 deal specifically with Dickson's experiences as a British political officer in southern Iraq and provides information on the cultural diversity and tribes in and about the marshes" – Sweet (p. 195). Sweet also writes: "An equally monumental encyclopedia and companion to the above volume, but containing largely historical reminiscences. Some information refers particularly to the Ajman Bedouin. The Ikhwan Rebellion is documented from the author's point of view" (p. 247) - from Sweet’s The Central Middle East.