KUWAIT JOURNEY BY JOHN DANIELS

[الجامع]

Kuwait Journey By John Daniels

John Daniels

The author of Kuwait journey has served in the Middle East for twenty- five years. After completing war service in the royal marines, he was sent by British foreign office in 1946 to work in Egypt and Iran. Unfortunately, in those days, the remuneration was not so rewarding as industry and he was attracted away from diplomatic career to join his compatriots in the oil industry. This decision he has never regretted because it gave him the opportunity of witnessing the fantastic developments in Kuwait.

During his twenty years in oil industry he served over fifteen years in Kuwait, and the remainder in Oman. Whilst in Kuwait, he began a study of Arabic and was sent by Kuwait Oil Company to 'Middle East center for Arabic studies' (MECAS). This center run by the British foreign office is situated in Shelman, some fifteen miles from Beirut. There in 1958, during the internal disturbances in the Lebanon, he and his family were involved in a number of adventurous incidents. Returning to Kuwait, they also witness a period of internal strife in that country. In Oman, the author was engaged as Arab Liaison Representative for Shell Oil Company, at the time of old regime (before Sultan Qabous took over in July 1970). After some time spent in the commercial world, he was appointed, in 1968, Assistant Director of Finance, in the Government of Abu Dhabi, where is at present serving.

Kuwait journey

Kuwait, an oil rich state, lies at the head of Arabian Gulf. In this book the author, who lived in Kuwait throughout the country's formative years, describes her journey from isolation to world affluence. In a period of some fifteen years the author has seen Kuwait transformed from a desolate arid and into a prosperous, thriving state whose rapid progress economically and social has probably been unparalleled in the middle east, if not in the world. In line with these developments Kuwait has introduced a modern system of government in place of her former traditional, patriarchal rule.

Kuwaiti Boom & Pearls

For the tourist or for the visiting businessman this book will be found to provide useful background information. It should also appeal to those who, though already familiar with area, would be interested in seeing the country through the eyes of an independent observer.

Kuwaiti Coffee

Describing Kuwait's progress from small port, dependent largely on fishing, pearling and local trading into modern, sophisticated and super-affluent society, the book should prove a useful acquisition for libraries and student of Middle East. But whilst endless superlative can be applied to Kuwait today, we are reminded by the author that the development of oil and wealth in Kuwait has not been an easy, rhythmic progression. The problems of yesterday seem remote as one looks at this mature, progressive and prosperous state today, but as sir Edwin Chapman-Andrews remark:
'This book will show those who do not know through what "perils" this happy consummation has been reached.'
Refreshing and without sensationalism, they very real changes are described that have taken place socially in Kuwait – particularly in regard to women's new positive role and changes in Kuwait's marriage and other traditions.

In the wider fields of world politics and international relations the gulf area is now in transitional stage and the withdrawal of the British forces, scheduled for the end of 1971, marks the end of long epoch in the history of the area and many bring a real challenge to Kuwait.However, Kuwait should benefit considerably from the oil agreements concluded in Tehran in February 1971and her already vast financial recourses will be still further increases, but, what it may well asked , does a rich oil state, like Kuwait, do with all her wealth? It is the aim of this book to provide some of the answers to this question

The author wife and veiled Kuwaiti women

The author relaxing on Kuwait's sandy beaches

Kuwaitis & their hawks

Demonstration in Kuwait 1961, shorthly after kassem laid claim to Kuwait

1st elections in Kuwait 23 January 1963

National Day celebration

Sheikh Abdulla AlSAlim Alsabah & Sheikh Sabah AlSalim Alsabah on 29 January 1963 on the opening 1st National Assembly

The Safat at Eid al Fitr

Housing for lower income

Like many expatriates in Kuwait, this Omani has something to be pleased about

Contents

Chapter Title
1 Early Cargos
2 The Oil Era
3 The Uneasy Years
4 More Unrest
5 Brighter Horizon
6 Progress Continues
7 Kuwaiti Widening
8 Overcast Summers
9 An Unusual Ramadan
10 Eid al Fitr
11 Modern Cargoes
12 End of an Epoch
13 Monetary Cargos
14 Marriage and Tradition
15 Emerging Patterns
16 Wealth and Health
17 Problems and Solutions