Karen Elliott House's new book, The Man Who Would Be King: Mohammed Bin Salman and the Transformation of Saudi Arabia, offers an in-depth look at the Saudi crown prince's rise and his sweeping reforms. Drawing from interviews with Mohammed bin Salman, his associates, and critics, House paints a portrait of a bold and ambitious leader determined to reshape his country. The book explores how Mohammed bin Salman, shaped by a restrictive religious environment and the aftermath of pivotal events like the Grand Mosque siege, seeks to modernize Saudi society and diversify its economy through top-down change.

Under his leadership, the kingdom has seen significant social reforms, particularly in women's rights and workforce participation, alongside ambitious economic projects. However, his approach is marked by ruthlessness toward dissent, with critics facing imprisonment or worse. House argues that Mohammed bin Salman's audacious, risk-taking style is transforming Saudi Arabia and will have lasting implications for the region and the world.