The seventh in the CAIW series, this title draws on the 50 years of experience of Cambridge based World of Information. During most of the period covered, Oman was ruled by Sultan Qaboos bin Said, overcoming several handicaps, including modest hydrocarbon revenues, and during the first years of Qaboos’ reign, a rebellion in the southern province of Dhofar. The latter was often described as a full-blown war with the neighbouring People’s Democratic Republic of the Yemen (PDRY) and its Soviet supporters. Nevertheless, this strategically located, mostly Ibadhi sect Sultanate, has developed from a medieval, into a modern state.
Anthony Axon, M.A. (Cantab) joined The Economist in 1967 to work on a Latin American Edition. He subsequently worked for the publishing division of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg before launching World of Information in 1973 in Cambridge, UK.
Susan Hewitt first worked in publishing in 1963 in Lusaka, Northern Rhodesia (which became Zambia on independence in 1964). She worked with Gemini News Service soon after it launched in 1967 and then African Development Magazine. She joined World of Information in 1974.
The CAIW series is relevant reading for all interested in the recent history of the Arabian Gulf. It is a valuable resource for graduate and post-graduate students, academic libraries, research institutes, government departments, embassies, consulates, diplomats and NGOs.