Listen to the gripping and untold story of how Saudi Arabia's enigmatic and ambitious new ruler ascended to power in this Financial Times Book Best Book of the Year 2020, narrated by the talented Robert Petkoff. From a young age, Mohammed bin Salman had dreams of wielding immense power and transforming his ultra-conservative Islamic kingdom. When his aging father assumed the throne in 2015, MBS seized the opportunity to enact sweeping changes. With his hands firmly on the reins, he embarked on a relentless journey to reshape the country's economy, challenge its rigid social norms, and confront its adversaries, particularly Iran.
Initially, MBS's bold vision garnered admiration both domestically and abroad, prompting nations to place their bets on Saudi Arabia's promising future. However, as time passed, the luster of this visionary young reformer dimmed, leaving many to question whether he is actually an aspiring dictator whose impetuous decisions and lack of experience are destabilizing one of the world's most volatile regions. Drawing on extensive reporting and clandestine interviews, author Ben Hubbard sheds light on Saudi Arabia's disastrous military intervention in Yemen, the perplexing detention of the Lebanese prime minister, the shocking arrest of numerous princes and businessmen, and the chilling murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi state officials tied to MBS—a heinous crime that sent shockwaves through the international community.
In this enthralling portrait of an ambitious autocrat's ascent, MBS explores the repercussions of one man's actions and obsessions, unveiling the ways in which they have reverberated throughout the Middle East. With its audiobook rating of 4.5 out of 5 and a length of 11 hours and 49 minutes, this is a captivating listen that will keep you engrossed from start to finish.
