The period covered in this book (between 1900 and 1962) saw the Emirates emerging from independent Shaikdoms to unification as the United Arab Emirates and with this, the arrival of oil. This book presents an outstanding selection of images, most of which have never been published before. The photographs show the remarkable transformation of the region from small coastal settlements to the modern, bustling cities of today. William Facey"s authoritative text places the photographs in their historical context, while Gillian Grant"s study of the photographers and their techniques provides further illumination.