《ORIGINAL WELL-USED》Ben Hubbard - M B S : The Rise To Power …, Kajang

★★ A NEW YORK TIMES EDITORS’ CHOICE ★★
★★ Finalist for the PEN/Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award ★★
★★ NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY ★★
– Financial Times
– Foreign Affairs
– Kirkus Reviews

A gripping, behind-the-scenes portrait of the rise of Saudi Arabia’s secretive and mercurial new ruler. The book provides an in-depth look at the life, leadership, and impact of Mohammed bin Salman, often referred to by his initials "MBS."

MBS is a prominent and influential figure in Saudi Arabian politics, known for his efforts to modernize the country and for his role in various domestic and international issues. The book delves into his rise to power and explores his approach to governance, the Saudi monarchy, and the region's political landscape.

MBS is the untold story of how a mysterious young prince emerged from Saudi Arabia’s sprawling royal family to overhaul the economy and society of the richest country in the Middle East—and gather as much power as possible into his own hands. Since his father, King Salman, ascended to the throne in 2015, Mohammed bin Salman has leveraged his influence to restructure the kingdom’s economy, loosen its strict Islamic social codes, and confront its enemies around the region, especially Iran.

That vision won him fans at home and on Wall Street, in Silicon Valley, in Hollywood, and at the White House, where President Trump embraced the prince as a key player in his own vision for the Middle East. But over time, the sheen of the visionary young reformer has become tarnished, leaving many struggling to determine whether MBS is in fact a rising dictator whose inexperience and rash decisions are destabilizing the world’s most volatile region.

Based on years of reporting and hundreds of interviews, MBS reveals the machinations behind the kingdom’s catastrophic military intervention in Yemen, the bizarre detention of princes and businessmen in the Riyadh Ritz-Carlton, and the shifting Saudi relationships with Israel and the United States. And finally, it sheds new light on the greatest scandal of the young autocrat’s rise: the brutal killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents in Istanbul, a crime that shook Saudi Arabia’s relationship with Washington and left the world wondering whether MBS could get away with murder.

Ben Hubbard, a journalist with experience covering the Middle East for The New York Times, draws on extensive research and interviews to provide insights into Mohammed bin Salman's life, his vision for Saudi Arabia, and the challenges and controversies associated with his leadership.

MBS is a riveting, eye-opening account of how the young prince has wielded vast powers to reshape his kingdom and the world around him. "MBS" offers readers a comprehensive and well-researched account of the Crown Prince's life and career, making it a valuable resource for those interested in understanding the current political and social dynamics in Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East region.