The drinkers' guide to the Middle East - Will Lawson

A surreal, sharp and often hilarious introduction to the countries of the Middle East. From Berbers to bars, war zones to weed, The Drinker's Guide combines practical information for the traveller/worker with barely concealed swipes at the vagaries of back packing culture. It is not a guide book in the traditional sense of the word - it won't tell you where to stay, or what sights to see, or where to buy the cheapest water pipe. It addresses something far more fundamental - the culture and mind set of the region and the ways in which the western tourist inevitably clashes with that.
As the relationship between the West and the Middle East becomes increasingly fraught, Will Lawson analyses not only the political situation but your position there as an individual, whether you are tourist or contract worker. He is as incisive about inter-Arab relations. There is no place here for romanticism or political correctness - Lawson's sympathies lie very clearly with the modern Arab and his acerbic wit is generally aimed at the 'serious traveller', the liberal western voyeur. His advice is both pragmatic and practical - how to get the most from the Middle East without causing widespread offence and without living like a monk.
The book covers, amongst other things, advice for contract workers, Arabic politics, religion and how to deal with border guards. Also an all new method for learning the Arab alphabet and of course, advice for the barfly. In the face of the ubiquitous bland and patronising guide book, Will Lawson is a breath of fresh air - incisive and opinionated, and definitely not for the faint hearted.