Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah is widely regarded as the founder of modern Kuwait, yet there has so far been no detailed study of his reign. In this vividly written critical history, based almost entirely on unpublished archive material, discusses the Sheikh"s seizure of power, the political concerns underlying the 1899 Anglo-Kuwait Agreement, the nature of Mubarak"s involvement in tribal politics, the great struggle for mastery of Central Arabia between the Al Saud and Al Rashid dynasties, and the impact that this had on the development of Kuwait under his rule. While recognizing Mubarak"s political skills and his success in establishing the independence and diplomatic identity of Kuwait, al-Ghanem argues that he was essentially an opportunist whose ability to control events was ultimately limited and whose abortive Arabian dream was pursued at a high cost to Kuwaitis.