The Man Who Would Be King

“Longtime journalist House draws on 40 years of travels to Saudi Arabia to present a portrait of a nation transforming, for good and ill… . A well-crafted key to understanding a central player in world politics.” – Kirkus Reviews

“An insider’s insights into a transformative leader who may turn out to be the next Lee Kuan Yew–or the next Gorbachev?” – Graham T. Allison, author of Destined for War

“Karen Elliott House brings her decades of experience and deep personal relationships within Saudi Arabia to offer her reader a compelling, balanced view of where the Kingdom stands today. Offering a portrait of the Crown Prince that few could paint, Elliott House captures both the immense ambition driving Mohammed bin Salman’s vision for Saudi Arabia and the significant challenges facing its realization. A compelling read for those interested in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, the evolution of religion and society in the Arab world, the global energy transition, and the exercise of geopolitical power in a turbulent age.” – Meghan O’Sullivan, Former Deputy National Security Adviser on Iraq and Afghanistan

“Karen House understands the history, culture, and society of Saudi Arabia the way few outsiders can. Based on a lifetime of travels and reporting inside the Kingdom, The Man Who Would Be King chronicles the rise of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and his singular quest to turn Saudi Arabia into a global powerhouse. Any American who wants to preserve and strengthen our 80-year partnership with Saudi Arabia should read this book.” – Senator Tom Cotton, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Seven Things You Can’t Say About China

“In The Man Who Would Be King, Karen House has given us an exclusive view into the Saudi royal family and unique insight into the person who is transforming the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Her compelling and accessible portrait of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the man, learning the history of his ascent to power, and anticipating how he might use that power to influence the history of the Kingdom and the Middle East.” – H.R. McMaster, New York Times bestselling author of Dereliction of Duty, Battlegrounds, and At War with Ourselves

“Karen House has combined decades of experience in Saudi Arabia with rare access to its current leadership in order to provide us with an unmatched analysis of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and where he is taking his country.” – David H. Rundell, author of Vision or Mirage: Saudi Arabia at the Crossroads

“Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Karen Elliott House provides fascinating insights into the actions and vision of Mohammed Bin Salman, the ruler of Saudi Arabia, and a major player in the Middle East. Her book, The Man Who Would Be King, covers the spectrum from the crown prince’s climb to absolute power to the murder of journalist Khashoggi to MBS’s Vision 2030 plan for transforming his country, particularly the role of women. This in-depth analysis is a ‘must read’ for all who want to better understand Saudi Arabia and its dynamic young leader.” – Senator Susan Collins, member of the Senate Intelligence Committee

Karen Elliott House is a former executive of Dow Jones & Company, publisher of the Wall Street Journal, and former chair of the Rand Corp. She is also the author of On Saudi Arabia: It’s People, Past, Religion, Fault Lines–and Future. She lives in Princeton, New Jersey.