Two popular works telling the increasingly familiar story of the exploits of Ibn Saud, the coming of ARAMCO and oil wealth, and the cautious assumption by Riyadh of a key role in Middle East and world affairs. Holden and Johns, British journalists, have produced the more solid work although it is overladen with detail. Lacey is primarily a storyteller. His book is easy to read and awash with local color and anecdotes, mainly about the innumerable royal princes.