Now & Then - Bahrain
by John J. Nowell LRPS FRGS

Price: UAE Dhs 135/- or UK £25/-
ISBN: 0-9533034-0-3

Now & Then - Bahrain provides a fascinating insight into a nation in continuous transition and a beautiful and historical record.

Bahrain has emerged in the latter half of the twentieth century as a country of the new millennium. Its transformation has been dramatic. The discovery of oil rescued a nation suffering from the sudden and unexpected demise of the pearling industry and transformed it into a vibrant and modern state. Income from this "black gold", wisely spent, funded rapid and spectacular advances. Where there were tracks in the sand, there are now six-lane highways and cloverleaf exchanges. Where there were simple houses built of palm fronds and coral blocks, there are glass and steel skyscrapers. Where there was a small population hard-pressed to survive on dhow building, fishing and trading, there is now a cosmopolitan mix of nationalities living in a healthy and prosperous environment.

During his research into the history of Bahrain, John Nowell stumbled upon numerous old photographs of the nation, making the 'then' part of the book. On his visits to Bahrain, John photographed the same sights from the same perspective, where still possible, to provide the 'now' aspect of the book. In this process many sights and details have been revealed that might easliy have simply vanished with time.

By the slipway adjacent to the old swing bridge, John photographed a dhow nakoudah (captain) who was born in 1904. He enlisted his help to step a mast and hoist the only traditional lanteen sail left in Bahrain. On the exposed tidal flats near the modern Grand Mosque, John photographed traditional dhows, now used for shrimp fishing, against the backdrop of modern high rise buildings built on reclaimed land. 1.2 km inland from the Grand Mosque, he discovered the old original flying boat terminal, fitted with the original ceiling fans dating from the 1930s.