This is a humorous introduction to the countries of the Middle East. From Berbers to bars, war zones to weed, the book 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 addresses 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 analyzes not only the political situation but a person's position there as an individual, whether as a tourist or as a contract worker. He discusses inter-Arab relations. Lawson's sympathies lie with the modern Arab, and his 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. There is a new method for learning the Arab alphabet and advice for the barfly.