Emirati Women: Generations of Change (Columbia/Hurst)

The discovery of oil in the late 1960s catapulted Abu Dhabi out of isolating poverty. A boom in construction introduced new sightlines to the city's landscape and transformed its infrastructure and economy. The impressive growth of just a few decades created new opportunities for work and play and developed a social welfare system that offered free education and medical treatment, generous pensions, family subsidies, and government incentives. Citizens were suddenly encouraged to participate in all aspects of their remaking, and wealth from a seemingly limitless oil economy enabled many households to acquire a sheen of sophistication.

The pattern of Abu Dhabi's phenomenal growth can be traced throughout the United Arab Emirates, and oil wealth can be felt among their societies as well. Yet conspicuous consumption hasn't cast the Emirates in a very favorable light. Both at home and abroad, many have accused Emirati citizens of violating the limits of taste and tolerance. Emirati Women offers rare perspective on those who have been affected most by the Emirates' rise in power. Jane Bristol-Rhys merges eight years of conversations and interviews with three generations of women and her own personal observations on Abu Dhabi society, boldly confronting the unflattering stereotypes that quietly flourish among expatriate communities. She also shares her unique findings on such topics as marriage, independence, freedom, and the future.