As a journalist in Saudi Arabia, Peter Theroux (Paul's brother) learned the language and immersed himself in the realities of day-to-day life. This book is a memoir of his experiences, both a revealing collection of anecdotes and a humorous portrait of a place. Among other things, the book is a quest to uncover what happened to Imam Sadr, a complex man who led Lebanon's Shia Muslims.  (ARB08, $13.95)

The 86 Greatest Travel Books of All Time