King Faisal of Saudi Arabia

Outline

King Faisal of Saudi Arabia (2012) is a detailed biography of King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who ruled Saudi Arabia from 1964 until his death in 1975. Russian historian Alexei Vassiliev traces Faisal’s early role in his father’s campaigns, his work as foreign minister, and his reign, marked by modernisation, strong faith, and influence in Arab and Islamic affairs. The book draws on Arabic, Russian, and Western sources.

• Faisal's leadership began early, when he took part in his father's campaigns before holding any formal office.
• Before becoming king, he served as foreign minister, which shaped his approach to Arab and Islamic affairs.
• His reign, from 1964 until his death in 1975, was marked by modernisation in Saudi Arabia.
• Strong personal faith was central to how Faisal ruled and how he engaged with the wider region.
• The author, a Russian historian, draws on Arabic, Russian and Western sources to build a detailed biography.

Alexei Vassiliev is a leading Russian historian and Arabist at the Russian Academy of Sciences who has studied the Arab world for decades. His other books include The History of Saudi Arabia.