pb A iNew York Timesi Notable Book of 2020 brbbrbA sweeping and authoritative history iibbiThe New York Times Book Reviewi, b biBlack Wavei bbis an unprecedented and ambitious examination of how the modern Middle East unraveled and why it started with the pivotal year of 1979. b pKim Ghattas seamlessly weaves together history, geopolitics, and culture to deliver a gripping read of the largely unexplored story of the rivalry between between Saudi Arabia and Iran, born from the sparks of the 1979 Iranian revolution and fueled by American policy. pWith vivid story-telling, extensive historical research and on-the-ground reporting, Ghattas dispels accepted truths about a region she calls home. She explores how Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shia Iran, once allies and twin pillars of US strategy in the region, became mortal enemies after 1979. She shows how they used and distorted religion in a competition that went well beyond geopolitics. Feeding intolerance, suppressing cultural expression, and