Carmen Bin Laden did the world a tremendous favor when she picked up this pen. As enlightening to the western world as it is engaging, I find myself recommending this work to colleagues constantly.

I am not sure if the author knows how shocking to americans life in Saudi Arabia is. During the Bush years, most had no idea who these people of the desert kingdom were, other than important-looking robed arabs who liked to kiss and hold hands with Georgie.

Carmen Bin Laden lays it bare. With a death sentence back in Saudi Arabia, and the most shunned name since Hitler, she boldly lands the reader in the heart of Saudi life, in the middle of one of the most influential families in the arab world. The insight is extremely unique, and such a text is a rare intellectual treat. I hope we hear more from her.