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.