Last updated:聽26 october, 2009 - 17:06 GMT
Inside The Kingdom
When Robert Lacey first moved to Saudi Arabia in 1979, it marked the beginning of a long fascination with the kingdom and a close relationship with the authorities.
When the British journalist unearthed the inside story of the oil boom, his book was banned by the Saudi Government.
He left the country, but the experience did not bring his interest to an end.
He recently returned to Saudi Arabia to see the changes since 9/11. And despite his past, he met the Saudi Royal family.
Robert Lacey came into the Outlook studio to talk about his experiences, and explained how the banning of his book did not stop him accessing the very highest echelons of Saudi society.