Oman Flag

Maverick Guide to Oman

With the endorsement and assistance of the Omani government, the only guide to Oman has been thoroughly updated for the second edition. For naturalists, the rock formations, minerals, and fossils of Oman are textbook-quality, and the variety of flora and fauna is awe-inspiring. For adventurers, there is wadi bashing, hiking, camping, and rock climbing. The landscape ranges from desert to oasis to mountain to coast, and the Omani people are among the most hospitable in the world. This guide utilizes the familiar Maverick format to communicate everything a first-time traveler needs to know. The author lives in Oman and has made many of the treks he writes about. He gives insight into the customs, history, and culture of the country, as well as how to get along with the Omanis in the best possible fashion. Advice is given on everything from asking permission to take pictures, to what type of vehicle to drive in certain areas, to which forts are open to the public, to what kinds of clothes to wear.

The Report: Oman 2010

Oman Reborn

The Sultanate of Oman is one of the few "good news" stories to have emerged from the Middle East in recent memory. This book traces the narrative of a little-known and relatively stable Arab country whose history of independence, legacy of interaction with diverse cultures, and enlightened modern leadership have transformed it in less than fifty years from an isolated medieval-style potentate to a stable, dynamic, and largely optimistic country. At the heart of this fascinating story is Oman’s sultan, Qaboos bin Sa’id, friend to both East and West, whose unique leadership style has resulted in both domestic and foreign policy achievements during more than four decades in office. Exploring Oman from a historical perspective, Funsch examines how the country’s unique blend of tradition and modernization has enabled it to succeed while others in the region have failed. Accounts of the author’s own experiences with Oman’s transformation add rich layers of depth, texture, and personality to the narrative.