Reviews
"Well researched.... The best sections of her impressively researched book explain the complexity and ambition of joint U.S.-Saudi undertakings against communist governments and guerrilla movements during the Cold War -- not only in Afghanistan...but also in the Middle East, Africa and CentralAmerica.... A reliable, efficient book that policymakers and regional analysts will find useful."--Steve Coll, Washington Post Book World, "Thicker Than Oil is a highly-engaging book on a critical topic--the nature and future of the U.S.-Saudi relationship. Rachel Bronson brings much-needed balance to an issue that has too often been the subject of unhelpful polemics, and she has proven herself to be a world-class researcher,unearthing numerous gems about that relationship. Her book is a vital reminder of the value of our long-time allies at a time when we have developed a bad habit of taking them for granted."--Kenneth Pollock, Ph.D., author of The Persian Puzzle: The Conflict Between Iran and America, "A thoughtful history of U.S.-Saudi relations. It challenges the common characterization of the relationship as a bargain in which the Saudis provide easy access to oil in exchange for U.S. security guarantees."--Foreign Affairs "This is the most solid book to date on the vital relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, with important new historical material and a hard-headed look at our tough policy choices for the future."--Leslie H. Gelb, President Emeritus, The Council on Foreign Relations "Well researched.... The best sections of her impressively researched book explain the complexity and ambition of joint U.S.-Saudi undertakings against communist governments and guerrilla movements during the Cold War -- not only in Afghanistan...but also in the Middle East, Africa and Central America.... A reliable, efficient book that policymakers and regional analysts will find useful."--Steve Coll,Washington Post Book World "Dr. Bronson provides a highly readable survey of the twists and turns that have typified the US-Saudi relationship. While there is plenty of intrigue, she also paints a picture of a relationship far more complex than most would expect. The author brings a refreshing sense of balance to one of the hot-button topics of our day.Thicker Than Oilpoints the way to redefining the national interests of both America and the Saudis." --Robert W. Jordan, United States Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, 2001-2003 "Rachel Bronson has written a book, at once 'cool' and authoritative, on a subject of great controversy and importance. She makes her own way through the thicket of US-Saudi relations. A work of careful scholarship and analysis loaded with interviews and drawing on a vast literature. No axe to grind, just the story told with care and judgement."--Fouad Ajami, Majid Khadduri Professor and Director of Middle East Studies at Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies "Thicker Than Oilis a highly-engaging book on a critical topic--the nature and future of the U.S.-Saudi relationship. Rachel Bronson brings much-needed balance to an issue that has too often been the subject of unhelpful polemics, and she has proven herself to be a world-class researcher, unearthing numerous gems about that relationship. Her book is a vital reminder of the value of our long-time allies at a time when we have developed a bad habit of taking them for granted."--Kenneth Pollock, Director of Research at the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution, and author ofThe Persian Puzzle: The Conflict Between Iran and America "Smart, balanced, and wonderfully readable,Thicker Than Oilis the perfect antidote to the sensationalism that has recently characterized books and movies about U.S.-Saudi relations. With an eye for the telling detail, Rachel Bronson brings down the temperature of the debate and tells the fascinating story of how the Saudis and the Americans came to be blood brothers, brought together not simply by the black gold but by geography and a common interest in fighting godless Communism. This well-documented study should be required reading for policymakers, students, and indeed anyone interested in truly understanding this most crucial and tense relationship at the crossroads where it now stands."--Noah Feldman, Professor of Law at New York University, and author ofAfter Jihad: America and the Struggle for Islamic Democracy, "A thoughtful history of U.S.-Saudi relations. It challenges the common characterization of the relationship as a bargain in which the Saudis provide easy access to oil in exchange for U.S. security guarantees."--Foreign Affairs"This is the most solid book to date on the vital relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, with important new historical material and a hard-headed look at our tough policy choices for the future."--Leslie H. Gelb, President Emeritus, The Council on Foreign Relations"Well researched.... The best sections of her impressively researched book explain the complexity and ambition of joint U.S.-Saudi undertakings against communist governments and guerrilla movements during the Cold War -- not only in Afghanistan...but also in the Middle East, Africa and Central America.... A reliable, efficient book that policymakers and regional analysts will find useful."--Steve Coll, Washington Post Book World"Dr. Bronson provides a highly readable survey of the twists and turns that have typified the US-Saudi relationship. While there is plenty of intrigue, she also paints a picture of a relationship far more complex than most would expect. The author brings a refreshing sense of balance to one of the hot-button topics of our day. Thicker Than Oil points the way to redefining the national interests of both America and the Saudis." --Robert W. Jordan, United States Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, 2001-2003"Rachel Bronson has written a book, at once 'cool' and authoritative, on a subject of great controversy and importance. She makes her own way through the thicket of US-Saudi relations. A work of careful scholarship and analysis loaded with interviews and drawing on a vast literature. No axe to grind, just the story told with care and judgement."--Fouad Ajami, Majid Khadduri Professor and Director of Middle East Studies at Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies"Thicker Than Oil is a highly-engaging book on a critical topic--the nature and future of the U.S.-Saudi relationship. Rachel Bronson brings much-needed balance to an issue that has too often been the subject of unhelpful polemics, and she has proven herself to be a world-class researcher, unearthing numerous gems about that relationship. Her book is a vital reminder of the value of our long-time allies at a time when we have developed a bad habit of taking them for granted."--Kenneth Pollock, Director of Research at the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution, and author of The Persian Puzzle: The Conflict Between Iran and America"Smart, balanced, and wonderfully readable, Thicker Than Oil is the perfect antidote to the sensationalism that has recently characterized books and movies about U.S.-Saudi relations. With an eye for the telling detail, Rachel Bronson brings down the temperature of the debate and tells the fascinating story of how the Saudis and the Americans came to be blood brothers, brought together not simply by the black gold but by geography and a common interest in fighting godless Communism. This well-documented study should be required reading for policymakers, students, and indeed anyone interested in truly understanding this most crucial and tense relationship at the crossroads where it now stands."--Noah Feldman, Professor of Law at New York University, and author of After Jihad: America and the Struggle for Islamic Democracy, "Rachel Bronson has written a book, at once 'cool' and authoritative, on a subject of great controversy and importance. She makes her own way through the thicket of US-Saudi relations. A work of careful scholarship and analysis loaded with interviews and drawing on a vast literature. No axeto grind, just the story told with care and judgement."--Fouad Ajami, Majid Khadduri Professor and Director of Middle East Studies at Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies, "A thoughtful history of U.S.-Saudi relations. It challenges the common characterization of the relationship as a bargain in which the Saudis provide easy access to oil in exchange for U.S. security guarantees."--Foreign Affairs "This is the most solid book to date on the vital relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, with important new historical material and a hard-headed look at our tough policy choices for the future."--Leslie H. Gelb, President Emeritus, The Council on Foreign Relations "Well researched.... The best sections of her impressively researched book explain the complexity and ambition of joint U.S.-Saudi undertakings against communist governments and guerrilla movements during the Cold War -- not only in Afghanistan...but also in the Middle East, Africa and Central America.... A reliable, efficient book that policymakers and regional analysts will find useful."--Steve Coll, Washington Post Book World "Dr. Bronson provides a highly readable survey of the twists and turns that have typified the US-Saudi relationship. While there is plenty of intrigue, she also paints a picture of a relationship far more complex than most would expect. The author brings a refreshing sense of balance to one of the hot-button topics of our day. Thicker Than Oil points the way to redefining the national interests of both America and the Saudis." --Robert W. Jordan, United States Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, 2001-2003 "Rachel Bronson has written a book, at once 'cool' and authoritative, on a subject of great controversy and importance. She makes her own way through the thicket of US-Saudi relations. A work of careful scholarship and analysis loaded with interviews and drawing on a vast literature. No axe to grind, just the story told with care and judgement."--Fouad Ajami, Majid Khadduri Professor and Director of Middle East Studies at Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies "Thicker Than Oil is a highly-engaging book on a critical topic--the nature and future of the U.S.-Saudi relationship. Rachel Bronson brings much-needed balance to an issue that has too often been the subject of unhelpful polemics, and she has proven herself to be a world-class researcher, unearthing numerous gems about that relationship. Her book is a vital reminder of the value of our long-time allies at a time when we have developed a bad habit of taking them for granted."--Kenneth Pollock, Director of Research at the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution, and author of The Persian Puzzle: The Conflict Between Iran and America "Smart, balanced, and wonderfully readable, Thicker Than Oil is the perfect antidote to the sensationalism that has recently characterized books and movies about U.S.-Saudi relations. With an eye for the telling detail, Rachel Bronson brings down the temperature of the debate and tells the fascinating story of how the Saudis and the Americans came to be blood brothers, brought together not simply by the black gold but by geography and a common interest in fighting godless Communism. This well-documented study should be required reading for policymakers, students, and indeed anyone interested in truly understanding this most crucial and tense relationship at the crossroads where it now stands."--Noah Feldman, Professor of Law at New York University, and author of After Jihad: America and the Struggle for Islamic Democracy, "Rachel Bronson has written a book, at once 'cool' and authoritative, on asubject of great controversy and importance. She makes her own way through thethicket of US-Saudi relations. A work of careful scholarship and analysisloaded with interviews and drawing on a vast literature. No axe to grind, justthe story told with care and judgement."--Fouad Ajami, Majid Khadduri Professorand Director of Middle East Studies at Johns Hopkins University, School ofAdvanced International Studies, "Smart, balanced, and wonderfully readable, Thicker Than Oil is the perfect antidote to the sensationalism that has recently characterized books and movies about U.S.-Saudi relations. With an eye for the telling detail, Rachel Bronson brings down the temperature of the debate and tells thefascinating story of how the Saudis and the Americans came to be blood brothers, brought together not simply by the black gold but by geography and a common interest in fighting godless Communism. This well-documented study should be required reading for policymakers, students, and indeed anyoneinterested in truly understanding this most crucial and tense relationship at the crossroads where it now stands."--Noah Feldman, Professor of Law at New York University, and author of After Jihad: America and the Struggle for Islamic Democracy, "Thicker Than Oil is a highly-engaging book on a critical topic--thenature and future of the U.S.-Saudi relationship. Rachel Bronson bringsmuch-needed balance to an issue that has too often been the subject of unhelpfulpolemics, and she has proven herself to be a world-class researcher, unearthingnumerous gems about that relationship. Her book is a vital reminder of thevalue of our long-time allies at a time when we have developed a bad habit oftaking them for granted." -- Kenneth Pollock, Ph.D., author of The PersianPuzzle: The Conflict Between Iran and America, "This is the most solid book to date on the vital relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, with important new historical material and a hard-headed look at our tough policy choices for the future."--Leslie H. Gelb, President Emeritus, The Council on Foreign Relations, "A thoughtful history of U.S.-Saudi relations. It challenges the common characterization of the relationship as a bargain in which the Saudis provide easy access to oil in exchange for U.S. security guarantees."--Foreign Affairs, "A thoughtful history of U.S.-Saudi relations. It challenges the common characterization of the relationship as a bargain in which the Saudis provide easy access to oil in exchange for U.S. security guarantees."--Foreign Affairs "This is the most solid book to date on the vital relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, with important new historical material and a hard-headed look at our tough policy choices for the future."--Leslie H. Gelb, President Emeritus, The Council on Foreign Relations "Well researched.... The best sections of her impressively researched book explain the complexity and ambition of joint U.S.-Saudi undertakings against communist governments and guerrilla movements during the Cold War -- not only in Afghanistan...but also in the Middle East, Africa and Central America.... A reliable, efficient book that policymakers and regional analysts will find useful."--Steve Coll, Washington Post Book World "Dr. Bronson provides a highly readable survey of the twists and turns that have typified the US-Saudi relationship. While there is plenty of intrigue, she also paints a picture of a relationship far more complex than most would expect. The author brings a refreshing sense of balance to one of the hot-button topics of our day. Thicker Than Oil points the way to redefining the national interests of both America and the Saudis." --Robert W. Jordan, United States Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, 2001-2003 "Rachel Bronson has written a book, at once 'cool' and authoritative, on a subject of great controversy and importance. She makes her own way through the thicket of US-Saudi relations. A work of careful scholarship and analysis loaded with interviewsand drawing on a vast literature. No axe to grind, just the story told with care and judgement."--Fouad Ajami, Majid Khadduri Professor and Director of Middle East Studies at Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies "Thicker Than Oil is a highly-engaging book on a critical topic--the nature and future of the U.S.-Saudi relationship. Rachel Bronson brings much-needed balance to an issue that has too often been the subject of unhelpful polemics, and she has proven herself to be a world-class researcher, unearthing numerous gems about that relationship. Her book is a vital reminder of the value of our long-time allies at a time when we have developed a bad habit of taking them for granted."--Kenneth Pollock, Director of Research at the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution, and author of The Persian Puzzle: The Conflict Between Iran and America "Smart, balanced, and wonderfully readable, Thicker Than Oil is the perfect antidote to the sensationalism that has recently characterized books and movies about U.S.-Saudi relations. With an eye for the telling detail, Rachel Bronson brings down the temperature of the debate and tells the fascinating story of how the Saudis and the Americans came to be blood brothers, brought together not simply by the black gold but by geography and a common interest in fighting godless Communism. This well-documented study should be required reading for policymakers, students, and indeed anyone interested in truly understanding this most crucial and tense relationship at the crossroads where it now stands."--Noah Feldman, Professor of Law at New York University, and author of After Jihad: America and the Struggle for Islamic Democracy, "Dr. Bronson provides a highly readable survey of the twists and turns that have typified the US-Saudi relationship. While there is plenty of intrigue, she also paints a picture of a relationship far more complex than most would expect. The author brings a refreshing sense of balance to one ofthe hot-button topics of our day. Thicker Than Oil points the way to redefining the national interests of both America and the Saudis." --Robert W. Jordan, United States Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, 2001-2003, "A thoughtful history of U.S.-Saudi relations. It challenges the commoncharacterization of the relationship as a bargain in which the Saudis provideeasy access to oil in exchange for U.S. security guarantees."--ForeignAffairs
