Letters From Oman

About the Book

This book is based on letters written by the author in the early 1960’s to his future wife. He was then on secondment from the British Army to the Sultan’s Armed Forces.

These vivid letters provide a unique snapshot of a relatively unknown Muscat and Oman just at a time when the discovery of oil was about the transform society. While the letters at the heart of the book, come early historical background helps to set the scene in 1962.

The closing chapter records show the discovery of oil in 1962, the succession of Sultan Qaboos in 1970 and victory in the Dhofar War in 1975 paved the way for the rapid, well managed and successful renaissance of the Sultanate of Oman. It also gives some indication of the stresses felt by the resilient and charming. Omani people and their achievement during a period of intense culture change.

About the Author

David Gwynne-James, who was born in 1937, served with The King’s Shropshire Light Infantry (later The Light Infantry) between 1957 and 1970. On leaving the Army he became a Director of Arthur Young & Co (later Ernst & Young) in London for twenty years, being responsible for people, administration and property. From 1991 to 2004 he ran Gwynne-James Associates, Management Consultants, He and his wife Charmain, to whom the Letters were written, have lived in Essex since 1970. Fiona, the younger of their two daughters, has illustrated the chapter headings. “Letter from Oman” was first published in 2001. His second book “For King and Country” was published in 2006.