Book cover of Vision or Mirage: Saudi Arabia at the Crossroads by David Rundell
History

Vision or Mirage: Saudi Arabia at the Crossroads

Something extraordinary is happening in Saudi Arabia. A traditional, tribal society once known for its lack of tolerance is rapidly implementing significant economic and social reforms. An army of foreign consultants is rewriting the social contract, King Salman has cracked down hard on corruption, and his dynamic though inexperienced son, the Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, is promoting a more tolerant Islam. But is all this a new vision for Saudi Arabia or merely a mirage likely to dissolve into Iranian-style revolution? […Learn More]

Colonial Period

Mutiny on the Rising Sun: A Tragic Tale of Slavery, Smuggling, and Chocolate

A little-known story of mutiny and murder illustrating the centrality of smuggling and slavery in early American society

On the night of June 1, 1743, terror struck the schooner Rising Sun. After completing a routine smuggling voyage where the crew sold enslaved Africans in exchange for chocolate, sugar, and coffee in the Dutch colony of Suriname, the ship traveled eastward along the South American coast. Believing there was an opportunity to steal the lucrative cargo and make a new life for themselves, three sailors snuck below deck, murdered four people, and seized control of the vessel. […Learn More]