Gerald de Gaury's 'Rulers of Mecca' provides a definitive historical chronicle of the Hashemite Sharifs who governed the holy city for nearly a millennium. De Gaury meticulously documents the lineage and political intrigues of these rulers, from their rise in the 11th century to their eventual displacement. The book explores their complex relationships with dominant regional powers, including the Mamluks and the Ottoman Sultans, and illuminates the unique spiritual and political authority they wielded. It is an essential read for anyone interested in the history of the Arabian Peninsula and the custodianship of Islam's holiest sites.