2 Books concerning The Sultanate of Oman

The Sultanate of Oman - A Heritage, by Ann and Daryl Hill. Published by the Longman Group 1977. First edition ISBN 0 582 78050 0

Forming the south-eastern corner of Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman is quite unlike the rest of that vast peninsula. The coast faces the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman, and the monsoon yearly visits its southern quarter; the western border is ill defined, since it lies across the desert known as the Empty Quarter. Between sea and desert, however are mountains rising to 10,000 feet, geologically distinct from any other formation in Arabia.

Its history, too, is unique. From Oman, almost certainly, came the copper which helped to form and to change the ancient civilisations of the Middle East, and it was a major source of one of the world's luxuries: frankincense. Omanis travelled and traded and explored, along the routes of ocean and desert alike. Threatened and invaded from without, they always emerged independent, with their heritage intact.

Maps to endpapers. Title. Foreword by Colin C. Maxwell. Sultanate of Oman. Unpaginated text with supporting colour photographs throughout.

Very clean copy.

Oman A Seafaring Nation. Published by the Ministry of Information and Culture, the Sultanate of Oman. 1979.

Modern Oman is regaining its old seafaring role, with Omani sailors and their ships braving the waves along many sea routes, inspired by the maritime traditions whose history goes back more than 4000 years, when man first used the sail to propel his vessels. Some traditions have survived in spite of the changes that have taken place as a consequence of the onset of modern technology and the discovery of oil in the region.

This book tells the story of Oman and its maritime history over a period of centuries before and after the advent of Islam, a period during which Omani sailors traversed the Indian Ocean to places as far away as East Africa and China. The Omani fleet reached its peak in the past century during the reign of Sayyid Said bin Sultan, in which period Omani ships reached places as far distant as the United States and Europe.

Dustcover over decorative mid blue boards with gilt blocking and Arabian sailing vessel vignette to upper board. Title. Frontispiece- Sultan of Oman. Contents. Map and Foreword. 196 pages text with colour plates, maps, images and photographs, with data and information.

Fine.