Marx (social anthropology, Tel Aviv University, Israel) revisits the Bedouin of the Sinai after several decades. His main theme is how the Bedouin are impacted socially and behaviorally by global economics and regional politics. Changing conditions force the Bedouin into a state of continual adaptation and changing livelihoods. The book is presented from an anthropology perspective. There are seven chapters: The growth of a conception: nomads and cities; the political economy of Bedouin societies; oases in the desert; labor migrants: balancing income and social security; smuggling drugs; roving traders are the Bedouin's lifeline; personal and tribal pilgrimages: imagining an orderly social world. As the author wished the book to be user-friendly, he organized it into short segments and writes in simple direct language. It is also accessible due to clarity and conciseness. The book should be of particular interest to anthropologists, sociologists, and political scientists. There is an introduction, a conclusion, references, maps, tables, and a list of illustrations. Annotation ©2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)