San Antonio, Texas: Leland's Publishing,, 1992. Many of the hostile events revealed will give the reader an understanding of the existing problems in the Middle East First and only edition, inscribed by the author on the title page, "To Mrs Vida Brousard, hope that this book brings back memories, Maurice L Smith, and wishing you the best in the future, God (Allah) bless". A scarce and fascinating memoir by a US Army Special Forces advisor covering his time in "the land of sand and oil", Kuwait and Saudi Arabia; with only eight entries in WorldCat, all in American libraries. Published two years after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, the present work serves as a highly relevant educational guide to a country recently brought to the attention of the American public for the first time by the Gulf War. Working from 1977 to 1980, Smith's role as an American advisor was to "provide advice to the Kuwait Armed Forces on requisitioning, receipt, distribution, and issue of all US Army procured equipment"; he also worked as an advisor to the Saudi National Guard's modernization programme. A detailed and sensitive work, presented in a straightforward style, Smith's memoir finishes with an assessment of the prospects for peace in the region, determining that there is "no solution, no common ground, no peace" in the Middle East (p. 104). However, in the tumultuous years following the end of the Cold War and the West's victory against Iraq in 1991, Smith's unassuming work represents a conscientious American perspective on the region based on his experiences living and working there. Smith's roles put him at the forefront of military ties between the Gulf and the West at a time of enormous military spending by the Gulf states. His position saw him working with senior Kuwaiti and Saudi officials, and this work presents his insider's perspective on Kuwaiti affairs, including the succession of Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah in 1977, Kuwait's role in the Israel-Palestine conflict, relations with Iraq and other Gulf states, and also key regional events such as the Iranian Revolution, the Iran-Iraq War, and the controversial Israel-Egypt detente. Smith's memoir is also a fascinating document of social relations and politics in Kuwait, detailing the experiences of himself and his family as early expatriates in the Gulf. Smith discusses local encounters that expose him to the moral and legal ambiguities surrounding religious customs, such as alcohol consumption and prayer, and he compares Kuwaiti and Saudi social and religious attitudes. Smith's identity as an African American also exposes him to local tensions surrounding race, as well as concerns about the increasing US role in military and political affairs in the Gulf. The recipient of this copy was Vida Elizabeth Broussard (1913-2009), a prominent Baton Rouge, Louisiana, resident and friend of the author, whom she met while they both lived in Saudi Arabia. This copy also includes an additional gift inscription to the head of the title page, "Mom: This man is retired military and my wonderful substitute when I am out. He is loved by the kids. Elizabeth", which is presumably by Vida's daughter, Elizabeth. Octavo. With 3 maps of Africa, the Middle East, and Saudi Arabia to rear. Original black and white photographic wrappers, lettered in black. A few creases and marks to wrappers, a near-fine copy.
