Dust and Fury — David Barnett

Set in the Sultanate of Oman this is an epic tale during the conflict known as the Dhofar Insurgency. It features the struggles of a simple impoverished mountain family which is torn apart by different ideals and loyalties. Mussalim, the eldest son of Abdulla enlists in the cause of the deprived fighting against privation which unavoidable places him on the same side as the Communists who have a far more ambitious agenda. Abdulla's other two sons, and for very different reasons, find themselves fighting in the cause of the incumbent Sultan.

This bitter power struggle eventually gave birth to modern day Oman and also began the rule of Oman's present head of state His Majesty Sultan Qaboos under whose benevolent leadership the country has since flourished.

It is a humane story of love, loyalty, passion, betrayal and revenge. It also features the 'Battle of Mirbat,' an action well recorded in the annuls of the British SAS. This story will be of interest to both the expert and novice in the field of Middle East culture as well as those who simply enjoy a good story with lots of dramatic action