ABSTRACT
MostpresentationsofthehistoryofBahrainsince1783-thetwo centuriesofrulebytheAlKhalifafamilyovertheprincipalityconcentrateonpolitics,administration,andtheevolutionand interplayofrivalforeigngeopoliticalinterests,imperialisms,or colonialpresences,particularlythoseinvolvingGreatBritain.More recentlyavariationonthesethemes,Bahrain'sinvolvementin internationaloilpolitics,hasbeenemphasizedtoo.Muchofthis workispainstakinglyresearched,well-written,andplausiblyinterpreted.Butpreoccupationwithtracingthecourseofpoliticsor geopolitically-conditionedimperialoroilrivalriescanproducea distortedpictureofmodemBahrain'sdevelopment,andespeciallyof theunderlyingdynamicsofitsindigenoushistory.
