This is an admiring biographic study of King Faysal of Saudi Arabia, who ruled from 1964 until his assassination in 1975. Kéchichian (CEO of a consulting partnership that provides analysis on the Persian Gulf region) first discusses the Saudi state prior to Faysal's assumption of power, his diplomatic activities prior to heading the ministry of foreign affairs, and his handling of foreign affairs while heir apparent to King Sa`ud between 1953 and 1964. He then examines Faysal's rule, paying particular attention to his overhaul of the armed forces, his role in fashioning the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries into effective political instruments and how they were wielded during the October 1973 War, US-Saudi relations (particularly during the Johnson administration), the establishment of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Faysal's approach to the question of Palestine, conflict with Iran, and Faysal's quest for Arab leadership. Appendixes provide a chronology and a selection of significant speeches and documents. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)