The formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971, under Shaikh Zayid Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi, is one of the most significant milestones in recent Gulf history. He pioneered the modernization of the country and ultimately created an effective framework for collaboration with neighbouring Gulf states. This full-length biography analyzes the UAE's unique federal experience over its three decades of existence. It is an in-depth study of the birth of a modern nation, based largely on unpublished historical records and documents. The archival research behind the book and its meticulous documentation make it a valuable record covering an important era in the contemporary history of the Gulf region and the Middle East.