Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Search - Inside the Kingdom : My Life in Saudi Arabia

Inside the Kingdom : My Life in Saudi Arabia
Inside the Kingdom My Life in Saudi Arabia
Author: Carmen Bin Ladin
Osama bin Laden's former sister-in-law provides a penetrating, unusually inti- mate look into Saudi soci-ety and the bin Laden family's role within it, as well as the treatment of Saudi women. On September 11th, 2001, Carmen bin Ladin heard the news that the Twin Towers had been struck. She instinctively knew that her ex-brother-in-law was...  more »
Info icon
ISBN-13: 9780446577083
ISBN-10: 0446577081
Publication Date: 7/14/2004
Pages: 224
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 69

4 stars, based on 69 ratings
Publisher: Warner Books
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Inside the Kingdom : My Life in Saudi Arabia on + 34 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
Fascinating book about the life of Carmen Bin Laden, who was married to one of Osama Bin Laden's 56 brothers and lived in Saudi Arabia until her daughters started school and she realized what kind of life they would have as women and decided to get out. Details what life is like for women living in Saudi Arabia in our day and age. Truly shocking and frightening. Totally mesmerizing, for women and for men.
lisarichards avatar reviewed Inside the Kingdom : My Life in Saudi Arabia on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
This was an interesting look inside the Ben Ladin clan, but I couldn't help getting a little irritated with Carmen Bin Ladin. She complains about how oppressed these women are and yet she stayed with her husband for years and years. She whined about the unattractively decorated little suburban-type houses, though I would say it was a pretty high-end suburb from the photo of their backyard. She comes off as a bit of a gold-digger since she talks a lot about the large allowances the ladies had to buy expensive clothes and other baubles. The book left me still wondering; what's it REALLY like living "Inside the Kingdom"? Ultimately, a slightly unsatisfying read.
CK avatar reviewed Inside the Kingdom : My Life in Saudi Arabia on + 40 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
Carmen gives us a glimpse into what it's like to be a woman in Saudi Arabia, a country where the man reigns supreme and the woman has no rights and is kept dependent....what it's like to raise daughters there and wanting so much more for them. She tells us about the religious laws that must be strictly followed, such as praying 5 times per day, strict reading of the Koran, not being allowed to talk to men, books and media as contraband, and must be covered in an aabaya at all times when outside of the home. She tells of the booming industry and growth in the middle east in the 1970's.....and small steps forward for women.... only to have them taken quickly away by Ayatollah Komeini who invaded Saudi. If readers are hoping to get alot of information in regards to her former brother in law, Osama, then this book is not for them. While she does tell about him briefly, this books main focus is what it's like to be a foreign woman living in an oppressive country. Carmen's style of writing keeps the reader interested and it's a relatively fast read.
reviewed Inside the Kingdom : My Life in Saudi Arabia on + 68 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Her brother-in-law may well be the world's most well-known terrorist, but she is a mother who only wants a safe life for her daughters. This memoir shares examples of middle Eastern life, and how it has changed in only a few decades. A very good read that helps readers understand how quickly things can change, both for one person, and for a whole country.
mictnt avatar reviewed Inside the Kingdom : My Life in Saudi Arabia on + 8 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is an excellent book to learn about women in Saudi culture. I was fascinated to read about what happens when you get entrenched in their world. I read it and let several people at work read it and everyone loved it. Would highly recommend it.
Read All 26 Book Reviews of "Inside the Kingdom My Life in Saudi Arabia"

Please Log in to Rate these Book Reviews

reviewed Inside the Kingdom : My Life in Saudi Arabia on + 2 more book reviews
Eye-opening information. A story hard to put down. Living as a woman in Saudi Arabia has got to be one of the biggest hardships I've ever read about. I'm so glad and privileged to be a citizen of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, the best country in the world.
reviewed Inside the Kingdom : My Life in Saudi Arabia on + 166 more book reviews
It's so sad that in the world today people are still treated as they are. The fact that women are worth so little is unbelievable. I think Carmen had an insight to the life of the Saudi women, but because she had money it was a different experience than if she had been poor.
reviewed Inside the Kingdom : My Life in Saudi Arabia on + 28 more book reviews
Very interesting, helped me understand the Muslim beliefs. The story helped me understand the underlying issues and why we as Christians don't see things the same way. With all the terrorism on the news it helps to know more about the Muslims and how they are not bad people, just different in their outlook on religion. The author wrote a very direct, easy to understand portrait of the Muslim world. Highly recommend if you want to know more about the Middle East and why they live and believe a they do.
glassbutterfly avatar reviewed Inside the Kingdom : My Life in Saudi Arabia on + 101 more book reviews
This was a very interesting look into the Bin Ladin family. At one point she was sitting with one of Osama Bin Ladins young wives and what she tells us is truelly sad.
reviewed Inside the Kingdom : My Life in Saudi Arabia on + 43 more book reviews
Interesting...
reviewed Inside the Kingdom : My Life in Saudi Arabia on + 12 more book reviews
Good perspective given of life underneath the veil. Interesting information about the Bin Laden family. I really enjoyed this book.


Genres: