Is Riyadh really the capital of Saudi Arabia, Daddy?'

An Englishman in Riyadh, David Urchs account of his years in Saudi Arabia, belongs to a long-standing and important tradition - works by English authors describing their encounters with Islamic societies. They range from the Letters of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu to T E Lawrences Seven Pillars of Wisdom and the works of Freya Stark. Consciously or unconsciously, the best examples - of which An Englishman in Riydah is undoubtedly one - reflect aspects of Islamic and Arabian culture; above all they reveal a sheer delight in story telling. Thus David Urchs book is really belongs to two traditions rather than just one - the other is that of the Arabian Nights. Davids stories are wonderfully told: the sense of timing, the pace, the humour, sometimes the pathos, the impending disaster, the unexpected twist and - usually - the happy ending. All of the essential ingredients are there. Something of Arabia has surely rubbed off on David.