To Be the First : The Authorised Biography of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Born in an adobe house with no electricity or running water, Sheikh Mohammed witnessed his father and Sheikh Zayed seal the act of union with a handshake and Sheikh Rashid’s first transformational development projects in Dubai. Sheikh Mohammed went on to become the world’s youngest Minister of Defence, Crown Prince of Dubai and then Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. In that time, he has overseen the extraordinary transformation of a small trading entrepot into a Global City, bringing millions of people from over 195 nationalities together in a remarkable atmosphere of peace, stability, security, tolerance and vibrant economic opportunity.

Through a lifetime of service, Sheikh Mohammed has consistently sought action in the face of challenges, movement at times of stasis. His leadership style is rooted in ambition, motivation and the determination and the will to not only succeed but excel. His achievements, remarkable by any standard, have taken Sheikh Mohammed and his people from the humblest of beginnings to a place at the centre of the world’s economic future.

At once a fascinating insight into a remarkable leader, and the building of a nation, To Be the First is the authorised biography of a man whose legendary drive and singularity of purpose has built not only Dubai and its many icons and sensational achievements, but transformed his entire nation to rise from the barren sands to shape the world we live in today.

Key features

• Motivate Media and Graeme Wilson have been granted full authorisation to publish this biography.
• To Be the First covers the complete life and times of His Highness, from his military education in the UK to developing Dubai into the economic powerhouse it is today.
• Includes never before seen insight into His Highness’s rise to position of leadership.
• Covers the full story of how His Highness has shaped the building of Dubai.