OMAN STUDIES CENTRE

Basic Reading on Oman: an introductory bibliography

prepared by Joachim Düster, Oman Studies Centre


Preface:

The bibliographic databases of the Oman Studies Centre are not yet directly accessible through the Internet. In the meantime, we wish to offer you a short introductory reading list which was originally prepared for the German-Omani Association (which explains why it contains many items in German language). Despite its shortcomings, it may still serve as a useful bibliographic introduction. If you are looking for literature on a specific subject, please send us a message to omandoc@pobox.com with details of your requirements and we shall search our catalogues for you.

For in-depth research, you should check the Catalogue of the Oman holdings, Part 1 and Part 2 of the Document Unit of the Centre for Arab Gulf Studies at Exeter University. In the Internet there is also a list of Books on Oman by Georg Popp and a list of Books on Zanzibar by Kamal Gordhan. You may also search the catalogues of major libraries or check indexes like the Index to articles on Oman of the Middle East Journal. If you wish to buy books, you should have a look at our list of Specialized Bookshops for Books on Oman.


Table of contents:

The reading list is divided into sections to which you can jump directly by clicking on the following headlines:

General Bibliographies on Oman .
General travel guides for Oman . Special travel guides (off-road, climbing, diving, etc.) .
General monographs on Oman; Land & People; Coffee-table books . Maps .
Development and Change in particular regions of Oman .
Economy and development . Statistics . Society, social conditions and social change .
Sources for the history of Oman . History and political system: comprehensive studies and history until WW I . History and politics in Oman in the 20th century .
Travelogues: 20th century . Travel and travelers in Oman .
Natural history, Geology, Flora & Fauna, Climate, etc. .
Traditional crafts . Archaeology . Law .
Omani presence in East Africa/Zanzibar; Ruete memoirs .
Language . Music . Fiction set in Oman .
Periodicals and serials
.


General Bibliographies on Oman

(For special bibliographies, see the appropriate subject section, or go to our page Oman Bibliographies for a more detailed list of bibliographies on Oman)

Clements, Frank A.: Oman. - Revised ed. - Oxford: Clio Press, 1994. - xxii, 346pp. - ISBN 1-85109-197-1
Düster, Joachim; Scholz, Fred: Bibliographie über das Sultanat Oman. - Hamburg: Deutsches Orient-Institut, 1980. - xvii, 141, xix pp. - ISBN 3-88693-003-3
Shannon, Michael O.: Oman and southeastern Arabia: a bibliographic survey. - Boston, MA: G.K. Hall, 1978. - xvi, 165pp. - ISBN 0-8161-8097-0


General travel guides for Oman

Apex Publishing: Discovering Oman. - Ruwi (P.O. Box 5616): Apex Publishing, 1992. - 144pp.
Baron, Kirsten: Vereinigte Arabische Emirate / Oman [...]. - 3rd edition. - Frankfurt am Main; Berlin: Ullstein, 1994. - 159pp. - ISBN 3-550-06885-9
Bouagga, Jalel: Oman: voyage au pays de Sindbad. - Paris: Édifra, 1994. - 272pp. - ISBN 2-904070-65-6
Heck, Gerhard; Wöbcke, Manfred: Arabische Halbinsel: Saudi-Arabien, [etc.]. - Köln: DuMont, 1996. - 360pp. - (Richtig reisen) ISBN 3-7701-3584-9
Kabasci, Kirstin; Franzisky, Peter: Oman: geheimnisvolles Sultanat zwischen gestern und Übermorgen. - 2. Auflage 1999. - Hohenthann: Reise-Know-How Verlag Därr, 1999, ©1996. - 621pp. - (Reise know-how: Reisehandbuch) ISBN 3-89662-100-9
Kerssenbrock, Franziskus: Oman / Vereinigte Arabische Emirate. - [2nd ed. 1998/1999]. - München: Polyglott-Verlag, 1998, ©1996. - 96pp. - ISBN 3-493-62941-9 (Dutch ed.: Oman, Verenigde Arabische Emiraten. - Rijswijk: Elmar, 1997. - ISBN 90-389-05394)
Müller, Birgit: Oman - Vereinigte Arabische Emirate: Oman und die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate entdecken und erleben. - 2nd ed. 1997. - München: Gräfe und Unzer, 1997, ©1996. - 128pp. - (Merian live) ISBN 3-7742-0424-1
Muscat explorer. - 1st ed. 1999. - Dubai: Explorer Publishing, 1999. - 270pp. - ISBN 0-9531647-2-1
Ochs, Peter: Maverick guide to Oman. - Gretna, LA: Pelican Publishing Co., 1997. - 392pp. - ISBN 1-56554-241-X
Oman / VAE: Polyglott APA Guide. - 1st ed. 1998/99. - München: Langenscheidt, 1998. - 319pp. - ISBN 3-8268-2080-0;
Oman & the UAE. - Singapore; London: APA Publications, 1998. - 318pp. - (Insight Guides) ISBN 962-421-418-2
Oman: a comprehensive guide to the Sultanate of Oman. - Muscat: Al Roya Publishing, 1997. - 464pp. (Beautiful Oman Collection; 1)
Popp, Georg: Oman. - 2nd ed. - Nürnberg: Edition Erde, 1996. - 427pp. - ISBN 3-8214-6537-9
Robison, Gordon: Arab Gulf states [...]. - 2nd edition 1996. - Hawthorn, Vic [etc.]: Lonely Planet Publications, 1996. - 522pp. - (Lonely Planet travel survival kit) ISBN 0-86442-390-X
Röhl, Anke: Oman: praktischer Reiseführer an die Ostküste Arabiens. - 2nd rev. ed. 1998. - Frankfurt am Main: Peter Meyer Reiseführer, 1998, ©1995. - 320pp. - ISBN 3-922057-12-8
Wöbcke, Manfred: Dubai - Emirate - Oman: Reisen mit Insider-Tips. - 3rd rev. ed. 1999. - Ostfildern: Mairs Geographischer Verlag, 1999, ©1996. - 120pp. - (Marco Polo Reiseführer) ISBN 3-89525-748-6


Special travel guides (off-road, climbing, diving, etc.)

Klein, Heiner; Brickson, Rebecca: Off-road in Oman. - Dubai; London: Motivate Publishing, 1992. - 100pp. - ISBN 1-973544-29-4
McDonald, R.A.: Rock climbing in Oman. - London; Ruwi: Apex Publishing, 1993. - 167pp.
Hanna, Samir S.: Field guide to the geology of Oman, Vol. 1: Western Hajar mountains and Musandam. - Ruwi (P.O. Box 3941) Historical Association of Oman, 1995. - 178pp.
Salm, Rodney V.; Baldwin, Robert: Snorkelling and diving in Oman. - Dubai; London: Motivate Publishing, 1991. - 88pp. - ISBN 1-873544-21-9


General monographs on Oman; Land & People; Coffee-table books (= B)

Allen jr., Calvin H.: Oman: the modernization of the Sultanate. - Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1987. - xiii, 154pp. - ISBN 0-8133-0125-4
Barrault, Michèle: Le Sultanat d'Oman. - Paris: Michel Hetier, 1994. - 128pp. - ISBN 2-908547-11-2
Barrault, Michèle: Sultanate of Oman. - Paris: Michel Hetier, 1994. - 128pp. - ISBN 2-908547-12-0
Barrault, Michèle: Das Sultanat Oman. - Paris: Michel Hetier, 1996. - 128pp. - ISBN 2-908547-19-8
Chenevière, Alain: Oman et les émirats du Golfe. - Paris: Peuples du Monde/Hachette, 1990. - 128pp. - ISBN 2-907629-07-7
Clements, Frank A.: Oman: the reborn land. - London: Longman, 1980. - 182pp. - ISBN 0-582-78300-3
Codrai, Ronald: Travels to Oman 1948-1955: an Arabian Album. - Dubai; London: Motivate Publishing, 1994. - 184pp. - ISBN 1-873544-60-X (B)
Dinteman, Walter: Forts of Oman. - Dubai; London: Motivate Publishing, 1993. - 136pp. - ISBN 1-873544-41-3 (B)
Graz, Liesl: The Omanis: sentinels of the Gulf. - London: Longman, 1982. - xvi, 202pp. - ISBN 0-582-78348-8
Grüter, Roland (ed.): Oman: Weihrauch und Öl - Landeskunde und Reisehandbuch. - Luzern: Strom-Verlag, 1993. - 602pp. - 3-85921-074-2
Hawley, Donald: Oman & its renaissance. - 5th ed. - London: Stacey International, 1995. - 256pp. - ISBN 0-905743-63-6 (B)
Hill, Ann & Daryl: The Sultanate of Oman: a heritage. - New edition. - London: Longman, 1986. - 166pp. - ISBN 0-582-78050-0 (B)
Kay, Shirley: Enchanting Oman. - 5th impr. - Dubai; London: Motivate Publishing, 1995. - 112pp. - ISBN 1-873544-05-7 (B)
Koch, Andreas; Völkl, Eva: Oman. - Wien; München: Anton Schroll, 1996. - 192pp. - ISBN 3-7031-0700-6 (B)
Newcombe, Ozzie: Shelton, Pauline: The heritage of Oman: a celebration in photographs. - Reading, Berks.: Garnet Publishing, 1995. - 160pp. - ISBN 1-85964-068-0 (B)
Nowell, John: A day above Oman. - Reprint 1993. - Dubai; London: Motivate Publishing, 1993. - 128pp. - ISBN 1-873544-30-8 (B)
Peyton, William D.: Old Oman. - London: Stacey International, 1983, repr. 1989. - 128pp. - ISBN 0-905743-34-2 (B)
Phillips, Wendell: Unknown Oman. - London: Longman, 1966; Beirut: Librairie du Liban, 1971. -
Popp, Georg; al-Maskari, Juma: Oman: das andere Arabien. - Augsburg: Höfler + Cremer, 1995. - 158pp. - ISBN 3-931457-02-8 (B)
Pridham, Brian R. (ed.): Oman: economic, social and strategic developments. - London: Croom Helm, 1986. -
St. Albans, Duchess of: Where time stood still: a portrait of Oman. - London: Quartet, 1980. -
Skeet, Ian: Oman: the end of an era. - London: Faber & Faber, 1985. - 224pp. - ISBN 0-571-13580-3
Stevens, André: Oman: citadelles entre sable et mer = citadels between sand and sea. - Winksele (Belgien): Terra Incognita, 1990. - ca. 150pp. - (B)
Südliches Arabien: Jemen, Oman, Vereinigte Arabische Emirate. - Merian-Heft, May 1996. - ISBN 3-455-29605-X
Vine, Peter: The heritage of Oman. - London: Immel Publishing, 1995. - 232pp. - ISBN 1-898162-40-9 (B)
Weiss, Walter M.; Westermann, Kurt-Michael: Vereinigte Arabische Emirate und Oman: zwei Perlen in der Wüste. - Wien: Brandstätter, 1996. - 208pp. - ISBN 3-85447-646-9 (B)
Zuidervliet, A.C.: Oman. - Zutphen (Netherlands): Terra Zutphen, 1984. - 72pp. - ISBN 90-6255-525-X


Maps

(See also Elstead travelguides and maps for Oman and Omnimap's overview over printed Oman maps for sale. Excellent maps for Oman are published by the National Survey Authority in Muscat which also sells 1:50,000, 1:100,000 and 1:500,000 maps published by foreign sources.)

Wöbcke, Birgit und Manfred: Vereinigte Arabische Emirate, Oman 1:1.500.000: Stadtpläne, Register, Touristische Informationen. - Frankfurt am Main: K+G Karto + Grafik, 1996. - (Hildebrands Urlaubskarte). - ISBN 3-88989-161-6


Development and Change in particular regions of Oman (Muscat, Bâtina, Sharqiya, Musandam, Dhofâr)

Asche, Hartmut: Mobile Lebensformgruppen Südost-Arabiens im Wandel: die Küstenprovinz Al Bâtinah im erdölfördernden Sultanat Oman. - Berlin: Dietrich Reimer Verlag, 1981. - xii, 344pp. - ISBN 3-496-00302-2
Barth, Fredrik: Sohar: culture and society in an Omani town. - Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins Press, 1983. - viii, 264pp. - ISBN 0-8018-2840-6
Costa, Paolo M.: Musandam: architecture and material culture of a little known region of Oman. - London: Immel Publishing, 1991. - 249pp. - ISBN 0-907151-37-X
Hoek, Corien W.: Shifting sands: social-economic development in al-Sharqiyah region, Oman. - Nijmegen: Nijmegen University Press, 1998. - xviii, 350pp. - ISBN 90-5710-049-5
Janzen, Jörg: Die Nomaden Dhofars / Sultanat Oman: traditionelle Lebensformen im Wandel. - Bamberg: Selbstverlag der Universität, Fach Geographie, 1980. - xxi, 314pp. -
Janzen, Jörg: Dhofar - vom Weihrauch zum Erdölland: Abriss der historischen Entwicklung der politischen und sozio-ökonomischen Verhältnisse in einer peripheren Region Arabiens. - in: Orient. Hamburg. Vol. 23 (1982), pp. 600-649
Janzen, Jörg: Sozio-ökonomischer Wandel und Ressourcenzerstörung in Lebensraum der Bergnomaden Dhofars / Sultanat Oman: Kritische Betrachtung der Entwicklung seit 1970 und Zukunftsperspektiven. - in: Scholz, Fred (ed.): Nomaden, mobile Tierhaltung: zur gegenwärtigen Lage von Nomaden und zu den Problemen und Chancen mobiler Tierhaltung. - Berlin: Das Arabische Buch, 1991. - pp. 329-354
Scholz, Fred: Falaj-Oasen in Sharqiya, Inner-Oman. - in: Die Erde: Zeitschrift der Gesellschaft für Erdkunde zu Berlin. Vol. 115 (1984), pp. 273-294
Scholz, Fred: Höhensiedlungen am Jabal Akhdar: Tendenzen und Probleme der Entwicklung einer peripheren Region im Oman-Gebirge. - in: Zeitschrift für Wirtschaftsgeographie. Hagen; Frankfurt. Vol. 28 (1984), pp. 16-30
Scholz, Fred: Landverteilung und Oasensterben: das Beispiel der omanischen Küstenebene al Batinah. - in: Erdkunde: Archiv für wissenschaftliche Geographie. Bonn. Vol. 36 (1982), pp. 199-207
Scholz, Fred: Muscat, Sultanat Oman: geographische Skizze einer einmaligen arabischen Stadt. - Berlin: Das Arabische Buch, 1990. - xviii, 460, [28]pp. + box with folded maps. - ISBN 3-923446-58-6


Economy and development

(In Germany, the "Bundesstelle für Aussenhandelsinformation" (BfAI) publishes brochures with information on Oman's economy and hints for businesspeople. A list of currently available information brochures is available from BfAI, Agrippastr. 87-93, D-50676 Köln, Germany, Tel. +49-221-2057316, Fax +49-221-2057-212. Similar information material is available in other countries from their respective national export promotion agencies, such as the Board of Trade in Great Britain.)

Hammad, Alam E.: Agriculture, animal wealth, water resources and fisheries of Oman: a bibliography. - Baltimore, MD: Gateway Press, 1987. - vi, 113pp. - ISBN 0-9618652-0-2 [Bibliography]
Hofmann, Michael: Entwicklungspotential und Entwicklungsstrategien der südarabischen Staaten: Jemenitische Arabische Republik, Demokratische Volksrepublik Jemen, Sultanat Oman. - Köln: Weltforum Verlag, 1982. - xi, 146pp. - ISBN 3-8039-0254-1
Kommer, A.: Entwicklungsstrategien der arabischen Golfstaaten [...]. - Frankfurt am Main, 1986. -
Miller, Duncan R.: Economic development planning in the Sultanate of Oman. - Ruwi (P.O. Box 6305): United Media Services, 1991. - 137pp. -
Scholz, Fred (ed.): Die kleinen Golfstaaten: Reichtum und Unterentwicklung - ein Widerspruch ? - Stuttgart: Klett, 1985. - 240pp. - ISBN 3-12-928894-5
Scholz, Fred: Kupferproduktion in Oman: ein Beispiel für die Bemühungen der kleinen arabischen Golfstaaten um Diversifizierung ihrer Wirtschaft. - in: Geographische Zeitschrift. Wiesbaden. Vol. 71 (1983), pp. 229-246
Skeet, Ian: Oman: politics and development. - London: Macmillan, 1992. - xvi, 195pp. - ISBN 0-333-56941-5
Townsend, John: Oman: the making of a modern state. - London: Croom Helm, 1977. - 212pp. - ISBN 0-85664-446-3
al-Yousef, Mohamed bin Musa: Oil and the transformation of Oman 1970-1995. - London: Stacey International, 1995. - 144pp. - ISBN 0-905743-85-7


Statistics

Statistisches Bundesamt, Wiesbaden: Länderbericht Oman. - Stuttgart: Metzler-Poeschel, 1995. - 106pp. - ISBN 3-8246-0498-1


Society, social conditions and social change

Alliata, Vittoria: Harem: die Freiheit hinter dem Schleier. - Frankfurt am Main: Ullstein, 1984. - 284pp. - ISBN 3-548-34177-2
Bierschenk, Thomas: Weltmarkt, Stammesgesellschaft und Staatsformation in Südostarabien (Sultanat Oman). - Saarbrücken: Breitenbach, 1984. - xv, 400pp. - ISBN 3-88156-260-5
Carter, John R.L.: Tribes in Oman. - London: Peninsular Publishing, 1982. - 176pp. - ISBN 0-907151-02-7
Chatty, Dawn: Mobile pastoralists: development, planning and social change in Oman. - New York, NY: Columbia University Press, 1996. - [18], 230pp. - ISBN 0-231-10548-7(cloth), ISBN 0-231-10549-5 (pb)
Eickelman, Christine: Fertility and social change in Oman: women's perspectives. - in: Middle East Journal. Washington, DC. Vol. 47 (1993), pp. 652-666
Eickelman, Christine: Women and community in Oman. - New York, NY: New York University Press, 1984. - ISBN 0-8147-2165-6
Nippa, Annegret: Haus und Familie in arabischen Ländern. - München: C.H. Beck, 1991. - 244pp. - ISBN 3-406-34603-0 [Oman on pp. 76-79, 133-146]
Scholz, Fred (ed.): Beduinen im Zeichen des Erdöls: Studien zur Entwicklung im beduinischen Lebensraum Südost-Arabiens. - Wiesbaden: Ludwig Reichert, 1981. xviii, 514pp. - ISBN 3-88226-110-2
Wikan, Unni: Behind the veil in Arabia: women in Oman. - Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins Press, 1982. - xiii, 314pp. - ISBN 0-8018-2729-9; same, Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 1991. - ISBN 0-226-89683-8
Wilkinson, John C.: Water and tribal settlement in south-east Arabia: a study of the aflâj of Oman - Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1977. - xvi, 276pp. - ISBN 0-19-823217-9


Sources for the history of Oman

(Those interested in British archival material on the history of Oman should have a look at the catalogues of publications by Archive Editions at http://www.bookshop.co.uk/archive/ or http://www.nross.com/archive.htm or request a printed catalogue from Archive Editions Ltd., 7 Ashley House, The Broadway, Farnham Common, Slough, SL2 3PQ, England, Tel. +44-1753-646633, Fax +44-1753-646746)

Bailey, Ronald W. (ed.): Records of Oman 1867-1960. - Farnham Common, Slough: Archive Editions, 1988 (8 volumes), 1992 (4 supplementary vols.). - ISBN 1-85207-120-6
Burdett, Anita (ed.): Records of Oman, 1961-1965. - Farnham Common, Slough: Archive Editions, 1997 (5 continuation volumes)
Düster, Joachim: Die völkerrechtlichen Verträge des Sultanats Oman. - in: Verfassung und Recht in Übersee (VRÜ). Hamburg. Vol. 4 (1971), pp. 345-371
El-Solh, Raghid (ed.): The Sultanate of Oman 1914-1918. - Reading: Ithaca Press, (autumn) 1999. - 352pp. - ISBN 0-86372-242-3
Lorimer, John G. (ed.): Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf, Oman and Central Arabia. - 1908-1915. - 2 vols. reprinted as 9 volumes, Farnham Common, Slough: Archive Editions, 1988. - ISBN 1-85207-030-7; same, 2 vols. reprinted as 8 vols., London: Frank Cass, 1997 - ISBN 0-7165-2380-9. -
Priestland, Jane (ed.): The Buraimi dispute: contemporary documents 1950-1960. - Farnham Common, Slough: Archive Editions, 1992. - 10 volumes. - ISBN 1-85207-420-5
Tuson, Penelope; Quick, Emma (ed.): Arabian treaties 1600-1960. - Farnham Common, Slough: Archive Editions, 1992. - ISBN 1-85207-340-3 (4 volumes). - Vol. 3: Oman - Yemen. - [Oman: pp. 1-391]


History and political system: comprehensive studies and history until WW I

(Further titles on this subject can also be found in the section on the Omani presence in East Africa)

Badger, G.P. (ed.): The history of the imams and sayyids of Oman, by Salil bin Razik, from AD 661 to 1856. - London: Darf Publishers, repr. 1986. - cxxviii, 435pp. - ISBN 1-85077-129-4
Bhacker, M.R.: Trade and empire in Muscat and Zanzibar: roots of British domination. - London: Routledge, 1992. - xxix, 279pp. - ISBN 0-415-07997-7
Kelly, John B.: Britain and the Persian Gulf 1795-1880. - Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1968, reprint 1991. - xiv, 911pp. - ISBN 0-19-821360-3
Landen, Robert G.: Oman since 1856: disruptive modernization in a traditional Arab society. - Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1967. - xv, 488pp.
Miles, Samuel B: The countries and tribes of the Persian Gulf. - London: Frank Cass, 1966.; Reading, Berks.: Garnet Publishing, 1994. - ISBN 1-873938-56-X
Phillips, Wendell: Oman: a history. - London: Longman, 1967; Beirut: Librairie du Liban 1971. -
al-Qasimi, Sultan Muhammad: Les relations entre Oman et la France (1715-1905). - Paris: L'Harmattan, 1995. - 163pp. - ISBN 2-7284-3627-7
al-Qasimi, Sultan Muhammad: Omani-French relations 1715-1900. - Exeter: Forest Row, 1996. - 123pp. - ISBN 0-9529404-0-X
Reiners, Heinz: Zur geschichtlichen und staatsrechtlichen Entwicklung des heutigen Sultanats Oman. - in: Recht und Staat im sozialen Wandel: Festschrift für Hans Ulrich Scupin zum 80. Geburtstag / ed. by Norbert Achterberg [et al.]. - Berlin: Duncker & Humblot, 1983. - pp. 453-474
Risso, Patricia: Oman and Muscat: an early modern history. - London: Croom Helm, 1986. - xvii, 258pp. - ISBN 0-7099-4204-4
Rotholz, Walter: Sakrale und profane Ambivalenzen: zum Problem der politischen Legitimation im modernen Oman. - in:: Orient. Hamburg. Vol. 27 (1986), pp. 206-227
Sirhan, Sirhan ibn Sa'id ibn: Annals of Oman to 1728, transl. and annotated by E.C. Ross. - Cambridge: Oleander Press, 1984. - x, iv, 119pp. - ISBN 0-900891-46-7
Slot, B.J.: The Arabs of the Gulf 1602-1784. - Leidschendam: Slot, 1993. - xvii, 436pp. - ISBN 90-9005872-9
Vine, Peter; Casey-Vine, Paula (eds.): Oman in history. - London: Immel Publishing, 1995. - 560pp. - ISBN 1-898162-11-5
al-Wasmi, Khalid: Oman entre l'indépendance et l'occupation coloniale: recherche sur l'histoire moderne d'Oman dans ses relations régionales et internationales (1789-1904). - Genève: Labor et Fides, 1986. - 287pp. - ISBN 2-8309-0050-2
Wilkinson, John C.: The Imamate tradition of Oman. - Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1987. - xii, 415pp. - ISBN 0-521-32713-X


History and politics in Oman in the 20th century

(More titles in the preceding section and in the section listing general monographs on Oman)

Akehurst, John: We won a war: the campaign in Oman 1965-75. - London: Michael Russell, 1982. -
Arkless, David C.: The secret war: Dhofar 1971/1972. - London: W. Kimber, 1988. - 246pp. - ISBN 0-7183-0677-5
Bierschenk, Thomas: Oil interests and the formation of centralized government in Oman, 1920-1970. - in: Orient. Hamburg. Vol. 30 (1989), pp. 205-219
Eickelman, Dale F.: From theocracy to monarchy: authority and legitimacy in inner Oman, 1935-1957. - in: International Jounal of Middle East Studies, Vol. 17 (1985), pp. 3-24
Ferchl, Dieter: Jemen und Oman. - München: C.H. Beck, 1995. - 144pp. - ISBN 3-406-35179-4
Joyce, Miriam: The Sultanate of Oman: a twentieth century history. - New York, NY: Praeger, 1995. - 152pp. - ISBN 0-275-95222-3
Kechichian, Joseph A.: Oman and the world: the emergence of an independent foreign policy. - Los Angeles, CA: RAND Corporation / National Book Network, 1995. - 436pp. - ISBN 0-8330-2332-2 [ more information ]
Kelly, John B.: Eastern Arabian frontiers. - London: Faber & Faber, 1964. - 319pp.
Koszinowski, Thomas: Der Konflikt um Dhofar und die Aussichten auf seine Beilegung. - in: Orient. Hamburg. Vol. 17 (1976), pp. 66-87
Krech, Hans: Bewaffnete Konflikte im Süden der Arabischen Halbinsel: Der Dhofar-Krieg 1965-1975 im Sultanat Oman und der Bürgerkrieg im Jemen 1994. - Berlin: Köster, 1996. - 72pp. - ISBN 3-89574-193-0
Peterson, John E.: Oman in the twentieth century. - London: Croom Helm, 1978. - 286pp. - ISBN 0-85664-629-6
Pridham, Brian R.: Oman: change or continuity ? - in: Arabia and the Gulf: from traditional society to modern states / ed. by Ian R. Netton, London: Croom Helm, 1986. - ISBN 0-7099-1834-8. - pp. 132-155
Riphenburg, Carol J.: Oman: political development in a changing world. - New York: Praeger, 1998. - ISBN 0-275-96144-3


Travelogues: 20th century

Heyerdahl, Thor: Tigris: auf der Suche nach unserem Ursprung. - München: Bertelsmann, 1980. - 336pp. - ISBN 3-570-02152-1. -
Keiser, Helen: Suche nach Sindbad: Das Weihrauchland Oman und die altsüdarabischen Kulturen. - Olten; Freiburg im Breisgau: Walter-Verlag, 1979. - 296pp. - ISBN 3-530-44552-5
Morris, James (now: Jan): Sultan in Oman. - Abridged edition. - London: Century Publishing, 1983. - 140pp. - ISBN 0-7126-0188-0; same, London: Arrow Books, 1990. - 140pp. - ISBN 0-09-972730-7
Severin, Timothy: Auf den Spuren Sindbads von Arabien nach China. - Hamburg: Hoffmann und Campe, 1983. - 256pp. - ISBN 3-455-08726-4
Thesiger, Wilfred: Arabian sands. - London (various editions) - German ed.: Brunnen der Wüste. - München: Piper, 1991.


Travel and travelers in Oman

(There is a surprisingly large number of travelers who have visited Oman troughout the centuries. Instead of listing individual accounts of travel in Oman we have listed only books and articles which give an overview over travelers to Oman and which can help to find the original travelogues)

Beguin Billecocq, Xavier: Oman: vingt-cinq siècles de récits de voyage = Twenty-five centuries of travel writing. - Paris: Relations Internationales & Culture, 1994. - 303pp. - ISBN 2-910460-00-2
Bidwell, Robin L.: Bibliographical notes on European accounts of Muscat 1500-1900. - in: Arabian Studies 4. - London: C. Hurst, 1978. - ISBN 0-903983-90-7. - pp. 123-159
Marshall, Brian: European travellers in Oman and southeast Arabia 1792-1950: a biobibliographical study. - in: New Arabian Studies 2. - Exeter: University of Exeter Press, 1994. - ISBN 0-85989-452-5 - pp. 1-57
Ward, Philip: Travels in Oman: on the track of the early explorers. - Cambridge: Oleander Press, 1986. - xii, 571pp. - ISBN 0-906672-51-1


Natural history, Geology, Flora & Fauna, Climate, etc.

(See also The Natural History of Oman and Arabia: a reading list by Martin Fisher, and for titles on agriculture, flora and fauna, also the references given at http://web.icppgr.fao.org/CR/CR/oman/ref.html)

Baldwin, Robert; Salm, Rodney V.: Whales and dolphins along the coast of Oman. - Seeb (POB 2531, PC 111): Baldwin (distribution: Ruwi: Family Bookshop), 1994. - 65pp.
Bosch, Donald [et al.]: Seashells of Eastern Arabia. - Dubai; London: Motivate Publishing, 1995. - 296pp. - ISBN 1-873544-64-2
Clarke, Michael H. (ed.): Oman's geological heritage. - Muscat: PDO, 1990. - 247pp.
Coles, Steve L.: Corals of Oman. - Hawes, North Yorkshire: publ. by the author and Richard Keech, 1995. - xi, 106pp. - ISBN 0-9527446-0-0
Dutton, Roderic W. [et al.]: The scientific results of the Royal Geographical Society's Oman Wahiba Sands Project 1985-1987. - Muscat: Office of the Adviser for Conservation of the Environment, Diwan of Royal Court, 1988. (Journal of Oman Studies Special Report; Vol. 3, 1988, ISSN 0379-0703)
Fisher, Martin: Indexed bibliography of natural history and conservation in Oman. - Leiden: Backhuys, 1995. - 74pp. - ISBN 90-73348-41-2 [Bibliography]
Gallagher, Micael D.; Woodcock, Martin W.: The birds of Oman. - London: Quartet, 1980. - 310pp. - ISBN 0-7043-2216-1
Ghazanfar, Shahina A.: An annotated catalogue of the vascular plants of Oman and their vernacular names. - Meise: Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Administration, National Botanic Garden of Belgium, 1992. - 153pp. - ISBN 90-72619-08-0
Green, Frances: The coral seas of Muscat. - London: MEED, 1986. - xii, 106pp. - ISBN 0-946510-28-8
Guba, Ingeborg: Omani gemstones and decorative stones. - Muscat: Sultan Qaboos University Press, 1995. - 82pp.
Hannß, Christian: The Capital Area of north Oman: Grundzüge der Reliefentwicklung. - Wiesbaden: Ludwig Reichert, 1991. - 198pp.
Manser, W.; Batchelor, D.A.F.: Earth sciences data sources, Sultanate of Oman: an annotated bibliography and indices of the geology, geophysics and mineral resources. - Muscat: Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals, 1995. - (M.P.M. Geological Documents) [Bibliography]
Martinetz, Dieter; Lohs, Karlheinz; Janzen, Jörg: Weihrauch und Myrrhe: Kulturgeschichte und wirtschaftliche Bedeutung - Botanik, Chemie, Medizin. - Stuttgart: Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft, 1989. - (WVG-Bildatlas). - ISBN 3-8047-1019-0
Miller, Anthony; Morris, Miranda J.: Plants of Dhofar, the southern region of Oman: traditional economic and medicinal uses. - Muscat: Office of the Adviser of Conservation of the Environment, 1988. - xxvii, 361pp. - ISBN 0-7157-0808-2
Randall, John E.: Coastal fishes of Oman. - Bathurst, NSW: Crawford House Publishing, 1995. - xvi, 439pp. - ISBN 1-86333-126-3; same, Honolulu, Hawaii: University of Hawaii Press, 1995. - ISBN 0-8248-1808-3
Robertson, Alastair H.F.; Searle, M.P.; Ries, A.C. (eds.): The geology and tectonics of the Oman region. - London: Geological Society, 1990. - xviii, 845pp. - ISBN 0-903317-46-X
Stanley Price, Mark R.: Animal re-introductions: the Arabian oryx in Oman. - Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1989. - xix, 291pp. - ISBN 0-521-34411-5
Weier, Horst: Bibliography of the geological literature of the Sultanate of Oman - Part I: 1824-1985. - in: Zentralblatt für Geologie und Paläontologie. 1986, pp. 779-798 [Bibliography]
Winser, Nigel: The sea of sands and mists: desertification - seeking solutions in the Wahiba Sands ( The story of the Royal Geographical Society Oman Wahiba Sands Project 1985-1987). - London: Century, 1989. - xxii, 199pp. - ISBN 0-7126-1609-8


Traditional crafts

Hawley, Ruth: Omani silver. - London: Longman, 1978. - 56pp. (various reprints)
Hawley, Ruth: Omani silver. - in: Asian affairs. London. Vol. 17 (1986), pp. 46-56
Jones, Gigi Crocker: Traditional spinning and weaving in the Sultanate of Oman. - Ruwi: Historical Association of Oman, 1989. - 70pp.
Rajab, Jehan S.: Silver jewellery of Oman. - London: IB Tauris, 1997. - [8], 69pp. - ISBN 1-86064-310-8
Richmond, Robert (et al.): Oman adorned. - Ruwi: Apex Publishing, 1996. - 384pp.


Archaeology

(For more information on archaeology in Oman, go to our Oman Archaeology Network Project pages.)

Cleuziou, Serge: Zwischen Sumer und Meluchcha: Magan. - in: Das Altertum. Vol. 31 (1985), pp. 141-150
Fiennes, Ranulph: Atlantis of the sands: the search for the lost city of Ubar. - London: Bloomsbury, 1992. - 192pp. - ISBN 0-7475-1327-0
Haerinck, E.; Stevens, K.G.: Pre-Islamic archaeology of Kuwait, north-eastern Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Oman: a bibliography. - Gent, 1985. - 64pp. [Bibliography]
Nayeem, Muhammad Abdul: The Sultanate of Oman: prehistory and protohistory from the most ancient times c. 100,000 B.C. to 100 B.C. - Hyderabad, India: Hyderabad Publishers, 1996. - xxx, 385pp.
Potts, Daniel T.: The Arabian Gulf in antiquity. - Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1990. - 2 Bde.
Weisgerber, Gerd: Mehr als Kupfer in Oman: Ergebnisse der Expedition 1981. - in: Der Anschnitt. Bochum. Vol. 33 (1981), pp. 174-263
Yule, Paul: Neue archäologische Entdeckungen am Persisch-Arabischen Golf: Handelskontakte und Grabtürme im bronzezeitlichen Oman. - in: Antike Welt. Vol. 23 (1992), pp. 274-279


Law

Elwan, Omaia: Das Handelsgesetzbuch des Sultanats Oman von 1990 und sein Verhältnis zur Scharia. - in: Recht der internationalen Wirtschaft. Heidelberg. Vol. 41 (1995), pp. 985-992
Saleh, N.A.: The general principles of Saudi Arabian and Omani company laws (statutes and shari'a). - London: Namara Publications, 1981. xi, 338pp. - ISBN 0-7043-2278-1
Wiedensohler, Günter: Sultanat Oman: Staatsangehörigkeitsrecht. - in: Das Standesamt. Frankfurt am Main. Vol. 39 (1986), pp. 333-334


Omani presence in East Africa/Zanzibar; Ruete memoirs

(see also Kamal Gordhan's Zanzibar Bibliography at http://www.timegate.demon.co.uk/read.htm)

Bennett, Normann R.: The Arab state of Zanzibar: a bibliography. - Boston, MA: G.K. Hall, 1984. - xvii, 231pp. - ISBN 0-8161-8455-0 [Bibliography]
Coupland, Reginald: East Africa and its invaders from the earliest times to the death of Seyyid Said in 1856. - Oxford: Clarendon Press, Reprint 1965. - 584pp.
Gray, John: History of Zanzibar from the Middle Ages to 1856. - London: Oxford Univerity Press, 1962. - 314pp.
Nicholls, C.S.: The Swahili coast: politics, diplomacy and trade on the East African littoral 1798-1856. - London: Allen & Unwin, 1971. - 419pp. - ISBN 0-04-967002-6
Nicolini, Beatrice: L'isola di Zanzibar: storia e strategia nell'Oceano Indiano (1799-1856). - Milano: I.S.U. Università Cattolica, 1996. - 206pp.

Ruete, Emily (geb. Salima bint Said Al Bu Said): An Arabian princess between two worlds: memoirs, letters home, sequels to the memoirs, Syrian customs and usages, ed. by E. van Donzel. - Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1992. - 584pp. - ISBN 90-04-09615-9
Ruete, Emily (née Salima bint Said Al Bu Said): Leben im Sultanspalast: Memoiren aus dem 19. Jahrhundert. ed. by Annegret Nippa. - Frankfurt am Main: Athenäum, 1989. - 290pp. - ISBN 3-610-08516-9 (Dutch ed.: Herinneringen van een Arabische prinses. - Amsterdam; Antwerpen: Uitgeverij Atlas, 1995. - ISBN 90-254-0804-4)
Ruete, Emily (née Salima bint Said Al Bu Said): Briefe nach der Heimat, ed. by Heinz Schneppen. - Berlin; Bodenheim bei Mainz: Philo, 1999. - 196pp. - ISBN 3-8257-00114-X


Language

There are numerous publications on the "Modern South Arabian Languages" of Dhofar, especially by Walter W. Müller, Werner Arnold, Thomas M. Johnstone, and others. - Regarding the spoken Arabic of Oman, the following two titles are worth mentioning.)

Brockett, A.A.: The spoken Arabic of Khâbûra on the Bâtina of Oman. - Manchester: University of Manchester, 1985. - viii, 240pp. - ISBN 0-9507885-3-8
Reinhardt, Carl: Ein arabischer Dialekt gesprochen in Oman und Zanzibar. - Reprint der Ausgabe Stuttgart 1894. - Amsterdam: Philo Press, 1972. - xxv, 428pp. - ISBN 90-6022-256-3


Music

Christensen, Dieter: Oman: Traditional arts of the Sultanate of Oman = Arts traditionnels du Sultanat d'Oman. - Ivry-sur-Seine: UNESCO / AUDIVIS / International Muscic Council, 1993. - (UNESCO Collection: Musics & musicians of the world) - CD accompanied by an English and French text
el-Mallah, Issam: Die Musik einer alten Hochkultur: das Sultanat Oman. - 1994. - 77pp. + Doppel-CD (available for DM 45.-- plus postage from the author, Birkenweg 3, D-86559 Adelzhausen, Germany)
el-Mallah, Issam: The complete documents of the International Symposium on the Traditional Music in Oman. - Wilhelmshaven: Florian Noetzel, 1995. - 3 vols.


Fiction set in Oman

Bernardi, Gil: Ormuz (roman). - Paris: Stock, 1980. - 451pp. - ISBN 2-234-01380-1
Collin, Richard Oliver: The man with many names. - St. Martin's Press, 1995.
Fiennes, Ranulph: The feathermen. - London: Bloomsbury, 1991. - 280pp. - ISBN 0-7475-1049-0
Kühn, Dieter: Und der Sultan von Oman. - Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp, 1979. - 235pp. - ISBN 3-518-03473-1
Kühn, Dieter: Und der Sultan von Oman: Erzählung. - Neufassung. - Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp Taschenbuch Verlag, 1982. - 135pp. - ISBN 3-518-37258-0
Ludlum, Robert: The Icarus Agenda. - 1988
Villiers, Gérard de: SAS: l'otage d'Oman. - Paris: Plon, 1987. - 244pp. - ISBN 2-259-01669-3; German edition published under the title: Malko: tödliche Waffen für den Iran. - Berlin: Cora Verlag, 1988. - 191pp. -


Periodicals and Serials

There are more than hundred periodicals and serials published in Oman itself. Most of them are difficult to obtain outside Oman. Of particular interest are the Journal of Oman Studies (volumes 1 to 10 published so far, plus Journal of Oman Studies Special Reports, Nos. 1, 2 and 3) and the quarterly magazine of Petroleum Development Oman, PDO News. Some excellent publications are published by Apex Publishing, such as the bi-monthly Oman today and the yearly publication A tribute to Oman which has been published annually since 1982 for the National Day. The Ministry of Information publishes a an informative yearbook on Oman since 1979 in several languages.

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