Author: Patrick (Tom) Notestine
One-sentence summary: An American paramedic takes a job in Saudi Arabia at a hospital and ends up working for the Crown Prince and living there for over a decade.
B.A.D. Girls Book Rating: 5
Our favorite thing about it: We enjoyed the insights into the Saudi Arabian culture, mindset and Muslim religion.
Our least favorite thing about it: We could not get past the terrible writing and disorganization of the book.
Main Topics of Discussion: Religion and Politics, Saudi culture, Saudi women and children, Corruption, World cultures
Our “favorite” quote: “Very often it’s fear that makes people stay with what they know.”
Notes: Well, aside from the interesting facts about the Saudi culture and religion, we were so annoyed by the writing style and the complete lack of organization of thoughts in the book. It sort of read like this guy’s journal, but in a bad way. That style of writing can be done well and be so engaging, but this choppy and scattered book was anything but. There was no flow to the thoughts and he would jump around from one subject to the next with absolutely no warning. In short, we were left wondering if an editor ever read the manuscript before going to print. And if he/she did, then their competency should be brought into question.
All of that aside, we did find some of the details about the Saudi way of life and thinking very interesting: the lack of any kind of work ethic, the disregard for the environment, the wasteful practices of the people but especially the rulers, the corruption. These were the things that we had no knowledge of previously.
Many of the Muslim practices we were already familiar with, including their handling of women, but what was different and interesting is how having a “national” religion really shapes the thinking of a whole country. The concept of “Insallah” was new to us and the impacts on the Saudi behavior were fascinating.
The author praises the Saudis in many ways, but also lived there long enough to witness the hypocricy of their ways, often their religious beliefs and how they inform their behaviors. We also discussed how our society (and Christianity) is hypocritical in different ways from the Saudis, but that human society always has to deal with the presence of evil and hatred manifested in whatever form.
Memorable Meeting Moments: We went to Gloria’s for dinner, sponsored by Amberly (thank you!). We also got to love on Stephanie’s sweet and tiny twins, Sadie and Luke!
What We Ate: Gloria’s and Oreo Cheesecake
One-sentence summary: An American paramedic takes a job in Saudi Arabia at a hospital and ends up working for the Crown Prince and living there for over a decade.
B.A.D. Girls Book Rating: 5
Our favorite thing about it: We enjoyed the insights into the Saudi Arabian culture, mindset and Muslim religion.
Our least favorite thing about it: We could not get past the terrible writing and disorganization of the book.
Main Topics of Discussion: Religion and Politics, Saudi culture, Saudi women and children, Corruption, World cultures
Our “favorite” quote: “Very often it’s fear that makes people stay with what they know.”
Notes: Well, aside from the interesting facts about the Saudi culture and religion, we were so annoyed by the writing style and the complete lack of organization of thoughts in the book. It sort of read like this guy’s journal, but in a bad way. That style of writing can be done well and be so engaging, but this choppy and scattered book was anything but. There was no flow to the thoughts and he would jump around from one subject to the next with absolutely no warning. In short, we were left wondering if an editor ever read the manuscript before going to print. And if he/she did, then their competency should be brought into question.
All of that aside, we did find some of the details about the Saudi way of life and thinking very interesting: the lack of any kind of work ethic, the disregard for the environment, the wasteful practices of the people but especially the rulers, the corruption. These were the things that we had no knowledge of previously.
Many of the Muslim practices we were already familiar with, including their handling of women, but what was different and interesting is how having a “national” religion really shapes the thinking of a whole country. The concept of “Insallah” was new to us and the impacts on the Saudi behavior were fascinating.
The author praises the Saudis in many ways, but also lived there long enough to witness the hypocricy of their ways, often their religious beliefs and how they inform their behaviors. We also discussed how our society (and Christianity) is hypocritical in different ways from the Saudis, but that human society always has to deal with the presence of evil and hatred manifested in whatever form.
Memorable Meeting Moments: We went to Gloria’s for dinner, sponsored by Amberly (thank you!). We also got to love on Stephanie’s sweet and tiny twins, Sadie and Luke!
What We Ate: Gloria’s and Oreo Cheesecake
1 comment:
I worked for Crown Prince Abdullah as Paramedic on his medical team from 86-88 and chose to keep my mouth shut. I am amazed at the number of people who would bite the hand that feeds them. I was treated well and profitably.
Sincerely,
Rustin Chrisco
Bentonville, AR
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