The Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the UAE in general have inspired many local and foreign authors and researchers to explore and depict the beauty, mystery and lore of its contrasting nature, wildlife, history and heritage. Meanwhile, photographers have found rich material in UAE’s contrasting yet harmonious sceneries that blend the simple and crude with the ultra-modern. Today, dozens of excellent books are available in all major languages, covering different topics and serving various purposes, whether to cater for the needs of a hardcore tourist or a leisure seeker, an incentive traveler or an eco-tourist, an adventure seeker or a researcher or simply a holiday maker.

Below is a list of books about Abu Dhabi and the UAE. Some are useful for any visitor in Abu Dhabi, such as a travel guidebook, whilst others are for visitors who may have an additional interest in specialised topics, such as archaeology, history, flora and fauna or others.

Abu Dhabi - The Complete Residents' Guide

Language: English
Author: Explorer Publishing Staff
Publication Date: 2006
Publisher: Explorer Publishing
Pages: 420

Summary: A comprehensive guidebook for new residents (and visitors as well), providing very useful information including housing, utilities, sports and recreation centres, shopping and dining, amongst a slew of other valuable information.

Sheikh Zayed - Life and Times 1918-2004 (Arabic)

Language: Arabic
Author: Noor Ali Rashid
Publication Date: 2005 (2nd Edition)
Publisher: Motivate Publishing, The Noor Ali Rashid Library
Pages: 156

Summary: The book provides a unique insight into the life of the first President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi – a man loved and respected not only by his people, but throughout the Arab world.

Abu Dhabi - A Pictorial Souvenir

Language: English
Author: Various photographers
Publication Date: 2005
Publisher: Motivate Publishing, Pictorial Souvenirs
Pages: 80

Summary: A photographic feast that covers the oasis city of Al Ain, the challenging tracks in Liwa all the way to the Manhattan-like skyline of the UAE capital.

Now and Then Abu Dhabi

Language: English
Author: Christine Nowell and Nick Crawley
Publication Date: 2001/04
Publisher: Zodiac Publishing
Pages: 126

Summary: A coffee-table book featuring photographs that compare past and present in the emirate.

Images of Abu Dhabi and UAE

Language: English
Author: Lena Moosa/Various Photographers
Publication Date: 2004
Publisher: Emirates Printing Press
Pages: 152

Seafarers of the Emirates

Language: Arabic
Author: Ronald Codrai
Publication Date: 2003
Publisher: Motivate Publishing
Pages: 176

Summary: Chronicles the last years of the old way of life in the Emirates as it related to the sea; a time when the Gulf could claim to be the home of the largest surviving merchant sailing fleet in the world.

The UAE - Visions of Change

Language: English
Author: Noor Ali Rashid
Publication Date: 1997
Publisher: Motivate Publishing, The Noor Ali Rashid Library
Pages: 144

Summary: Collection of historical black-and-white, sepia and colour pictures, highlighting the phenomenal transformation of the UAE during the last 40 years of the 20th century. 

Filling in the Blanks

Language: English
Author: Peter Hellyer
Publisher: Motivate Publishing
Pages: 80

Summary: Records the work of the Abu Dhabi Islands Archeological Survey (ADIAS), which during the past few years, has made major discoveries, including a 7,000-year-old settlement.

Abu Dhabi - Garden City of the Gulf

Language: English
Author: Peter Hellyer and Ian Fairservice
Publication Date: 2003 (6th Edition)
Publisher: Motivate Publishing, Arabian Heritage Series
Pages: 104

Summary: A compelling account of the city and emirate of Abu Dhabi - its history, character and people.

Qasr Al Hosn: The History of the Rulers of Abu Dhabi, 1793-1966

Language: English
Author: Dr Jayanti Maitra and Afra Al-Hajji
Publication Date: 2001
Publisher: Motivate Publishing, Memoirs of Arabia
Pages: 263

Summary: One of the most exhaustively researched books that relate the remarkable story of Qasr Al Hosn, the ancestral home of the ruling Al Nahyan family, and the sheikhs who ruled from there.

From Trucial States to United Arab Emirates

Language: English
Author: Frauke Heard-Bey
Publication Date: 2004
Publisher: Motivate Publishing
Pages: 576

Summary: This definitive book provides a well researched picture of the traditional way of life in the seven Trucial States, before the wealth from oil and the transformation into the most stable of federations in the Arab World opened completely new horizons.

The Emirates of Yesteryear

Language: English
Author: Ronald Codrai
Publication Date: 1990
Publisher: Stacey International
Pages: 176

Summary: Features the emirates in circa 40s, before the roads, electricity and the flashy skyline were built.

Do They Know It's Friday?

Language: English
Author: Jeremy Williams
Publication Date: 1998
Publisher: Motivate Publishing
Pages: 132

Summary: Business-related etiquettes and practices in UAE.

Before the Oil

Language: English
Author: Susan Hillyard
Publication Date: 2002
Publisher: Ashridge Press
Pages: 236

Summary: The author's personal memoir of life in Abu Dhabi in the 1950s.