General Information » Further Reading » Books

There is a huge range of books available about Oman, from glossy coffee-table books showcasing the natural beauty of the country to specialist hobby books and travel guides.

If you have an interest in the history of the region, which has grown from barren desert to rapidly developing cities over a relatively short period of time, you will appreciate Arabian Sands by the great explorer Wilfred Thesiger. It is a pictorial account of his crossing of the Empty Quarter with a group of Bedouins in the early 60s. The Maverick Guide to Oman by Peter Ochs is an excellent travel guide if you are visiting Oman independently (not as part of a tour group).

To find your way around the less well-travelled areas of Oman, and see things that not all visitors get to see, get a copy of the Oman Off-Road Explorer. It is the ultimate accessory for any 4WD, and contains trip plans and maps for over 20 adventurous routes (all marked with GPS coordinates and points of interest). If you prefer to do your off-roading by foot, the Oman Trekking Explorer features 11 trekking routes (each with a separate route card), a trekking handbook and an area map.

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